CHAPEL HILL - Everett Withers now says he was merely trying to express his pride in the University of North Carolina, not insult N.C. State.
After practice today, interim football coach Withers was asked about comments he made that aired Wednesday on 99.9 The Fan. In the Wednesday comments, Withers had compared graduation rates for athletes and football players at the two schools and said there is a different "educational environment" at UNC.
He focused more on praising UNC this afternoon.
"My statement didn’t have anything to do with really North Carolina State’s academics," Withers said. "It’s about my pride in the University of North Carolina what our faculty and our administration have done here, and I have a lot of pride for what this school stands for academically. That’s part of the whole student-athlete experience."
UNC chancellor Holden Thorp has apologized to N.C. State chancellor Randy Woodson over the comments, according to UNC spokeswoman Nancy Davis. Withers was asked if he talked with athletic director Dick Baddour about the radio interview.
"We talked a little bit," Withers said, "but I want everybody to know that my intent was pride for the University of North Carolina."
Earlier Thursday, N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien reacted angrily to Withers' comments and referred to an NCAA investigation has UNC facing allegations of nine major violations.
O'Brien said Withers was part of a staff that had achieved a "triple play" in the eyes of the NCAA, with an agent on the staff, players getting paid impermissible benefits and academic fraud.
Withers said he was aware of O'Brien's comments.
"Boy," Withers said, "it must be a rivalry week."
North Carolina (6-3, 2-3 ACC) visits N.C. State (4-4, 1-3) at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Comments
act your age
Mon, 11/07/2011 - 09:36 — carlm3Fans in the triangle need to start acting like educated adults.Here in Metrolina, the Gamecocks and Tigers are recruiting the best talent, because they perform on the field, and they keep their scandals about soft academics for athletes quiet. Come on, Pack and Heels, and reclaim the lost territory. Show youngsters that the Triangle has the good life and the best prespects for after graduation.
academics
Mon, 11/07/2011 - 12:50 — gvillegatrthats the thing though. The folks in North Carolina truly do believe in a solid education and higher standards. Clemson and USC folks think about football, football, football and then (maybe) academics. Said schools fans do not laugh and chalk it up to "well, you know ... " when a scandal breaks out like in the SEC. Folks get EMBARRASSED here. It's why the ACC will never become the SEC.
***It's a matter of time before Clemson gets in trouble again. That recruitng class they pulled off last year simply doens't and didn't make any sense. No question they can recruit better than some, but all those 5 stars ?! OK.
Wow....this is
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 15:32 — danofncWow....this is classic.
Which school turned down Dwight Jones again?
is that all you have on the Dwight Jones comment ?
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 16:01 — gvillegatrHe didn't get into Clemson bc he didn't qualify at first. Clemson would have been more than accomodating otherwise.
He ended up going somewhere to pull his grades up did he not ? Then he was able to go where he wanted to ... including ncsu. He chose UNC.
Clemson took his offer away
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 16:07 — danofncClemson took his offer away while he was in HS, prior to his failure to qualify.
from a clemson fan
Wed, 11/09/2011 - 11:24 — gvillegatr"At the time we had a special committee that reviewed all scholarship offers academic transcripts. I forget the name of the actual committee. They then told the coaches that Dwight Jones would not be accepted into Clemson and not to offer him a scholarship. However when he was offered and accepted into UNC, a better institution academically, that committee was blown into shreds by the fans and no longer exists, or at least no longer has the same responsibilities regarding student athletes."
long live football ...
I'll retort for you, Dan
Wed, 11/09/2011 - 23:29 — gvillegatrGatr,
Yea, it appears CU dropped the ball on Jones. Lucky for the Heels.
Good
Thu, 11/10/2011 - 12:59 — SurferGlad you see the light, "Dan".
You know
Thu, 11/10/2011 - 17:34 — gvillegatr"That" Dan isn't a half bad guy. Kinda like him.
Withers: Spoken like a man
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 09:53 — unc098Withers: Spoken like a man who knows he won't be around after this season. I suspect we will only see the hind quarters of those that had anything to do with BD after this season. New coach and staff on the way.
If TOB can't win the recruiting battle after this season in the void that will be created by the absence of this staff he should be run out of town. Of course that will probably happen anyway if State loses this weekend.
indeed
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 12:52 — gvillegatrHe was obviously told this when he was given the interim job. Otherwise, his cavalier attitude with the game ball to BD and now this graduation thing wouldn't be there. I must say i'm glad he's done all that he is done ... bad perception or not.
Agree, and I hope he will go
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 13:42 — unc098Agree, and I hope he will go out with some class. I hope that he coaches his kids to stay in line and not create any BS. It will be a measure of his coaching ability. In the best of circumstances it can get heated. I have to say the game was conducted well in the loss last year in CH. Both teams played hard and without negative incidents on the field or after the game.
negative incidents
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 10:07 — SurferI don't know about you guys, but I would say that that one tipped pass, resulting in a State TD, was definitely a negative incident! ;)
What?!?
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 02:52 — mad_max"Both teams played hard and without negative incidents on the field or after the game."
^Are you serious? Did you watch the game last year?
I was at the game....front
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 09:13 — unc098I was at the game....front and center....no more fireworks than normal really....This year will be different..GO HEELS
I guess throwing punches and
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 11:27 — mad_maxI guess throwing punches and getting ejected is just the norm for UNC-CHeat.
takes two to tango I
Thu, 11/10/2011 - 17:11 — unc098takes two to tango I believe. Moot point anyway now.
we agree !
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 05:45 — gvillegatrFor once we agree on something, Max.
This game will not be without incident. I don't know if i'm expecting a melee in the endzone or at midfield around 1215pm or not, but at some point during the game there will be fire works. I also wonder if EW or Toby talk before the game or shake hands after the game.
Anyway, I'm up early and ready to go ...
I've been to more state football games than most of their fans have :)
g-alligator aka, " RED PUSSY"
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 10:09 — bluecat69bluecat69anybody that would admit to going to more cow-college fb games than most people , has got to be sick, the only thing worse than fb at the cow college is bb. go blue devils!!!!
..oh...I'm sure Coach
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 07:38 — wjolly..oh...I'm sure Coach Withers will get the most pleasant of greetings in Raleigh on Saturday...nothing like insulting 60,000 fans of the other school three days before the game at their stadium...obviously we do NOT have a rocket scientist here!!...
you represent the 99% of the nc state fan base.
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 09:52 — gvillegatrYou ought to be INSULTED that ONLY 58% of the football guys at state graduate considering how much help and support and they get from the University. That's what you should be INSULTED over. Not what Withers said.
Quit being so dramatic. I would have assumed high school was a while back for you.
I've been to more state football games than most of their fans have :)
You do know that those
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 10:52 — danofncYou do know that those numbers represent only the HS recruits from 2004, right?
Unlike UNC, NCSU hired a coach that actually increased the level of discipline in the program, so a bunch of guys left school. They are the reason the numbers are low.
On the other hand, UNC hired a coach who apparently made it a lot easier to get good grades.
explain it away ... fine by me
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 12:48 — gvillegatrThat's what we do best ... explain things away. Lord knows people do it in my business. The fact of the matter is, your graduation rate sucks. Period.
The bottom line is Toby isn't dealing with a small, private school where grades come first and football second (by and large). No, he is at a big, public school where (sometimes) learning falls through the cracks for the betterment of the obvious. UNC is (obviously) no different. To think any other way is to bury your head in the sand. IMO, it should not be up to the football coach or any of his staff to worry about school work with exception of the "how's school going for you guy ? Studying enough ? Getting to your tutors when possible ?" Dan, this where you explain this away as well ....
I've been to more state football games than most of their fans have :)
Well,
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 08:32 — UNC1998In the bowl game last year fans were throwing beer bottles at the players. Anything less they can probably handle. I'm sure NCSU's fans will be loud and cheer/boo with vigor. I'm also sure Withers and UNC's players would expect nothing less.
I'm proud of UNC
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 00:42 — UNC1998The paper on my wall helps house my family, feed my family, cloth my family...... and buy my season tickets...I have to treat myself to something.
I'll tell ya what he's proud of
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 21:54 — gvillegatrHe's proud to be the interim coach at UNC who just so happens to be kicking the crap out of Toby and his band of floundering coaches on the recruiting trail. #proud #fact
As of today, UNC and NCSU
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 22:00 — danofncAs of today, UNC and NCSU are 6th and 7th in the ACC according to Scout.com. UNC has two more commits.
I'm pretty sure UNC is 5-0 against NCSU in February since Davis/Withers took over. How has that worked out in the Fall? If you're only going to win once a year, wouldn't you rather win on the field?
dan
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 22:09 — gvillegatrUNC has been winning on the field. I would prefer a few more wins, though.
Not sure about Scout, but Rivals has UNC currently ranked #36th nationally and 6th in the ACC. While ncsu is #12 in the ACC and absent from the national rankings.
Side note: UNC just got a WVa 3 star to decommit after last weekend and he will be declaring for UNC in a matter of days. Say what you will about the 3 star, but the Heels will only move up after this.
I've been to more state football games than most of their fans have :)
Wow..I guess it's good that
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 23:09 — danofncWow..I guess it's good that I don't just take what you say and assume it's true.
Rivals has UNC 6th and NCSU 8th in the ACC. Rivals also has both schools with 15 recruits.
UNC has 2 4* players on Rivals, neither school has anything higher than a 3* on Scout (UNC has more 3* on Scout).
i looked at it last night
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 09:57 — gvillegatri looked at it last night after you posted what you did. I cannot imagine it changed in a matter of an hour or so ?! Doesn't matter anyways. The fact of the matter is you and the Marine and all your minions are still getting whooped (again) on the recruiting trail when you should have a distinct advantage for obvious reasons. Worst of luck this weekend, Dan !!
EDIT:
I just looked again and, yes, ncsu, is currently ranked 8th so I guess an apology is in order. But that is not what it said last night when I looked. Like I said just a bit ago, it doesn't matter anyways for stated reason.
Someones...
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 15:12 — willncsuBeen drinkin!
Lol
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 18:48 — gvillegatrIt would appear that way. T-minus 13 hours till my first drink ofthe weekend !
If I'm wrong, I'll tell ya I'm wrong.
I've been to more state football games than most of their fans have :)
You knew ...
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 21:52 — jimcaudill34Withers would back down. He realizes that UNC is facing 9 NCAA violations. Engage brain before talking with the press next time.
c'mon Jim
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 21:56 — gvillegatryou can't be that naive. Thorp's sorry ass put the muzzle on him. catch up, dude.
Proud of what?
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 20:49 — andy65Proud of what?
I think Coach Withers could
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 18:17 — CayesJacmelI think Coach Withers could have used a tutor to help him with that statement. And as far as his great pride for UNC, just when was he filled with that pride? When they were cheating and not getting caught? Or, when the graduation rates came out and he overlooked the fact that UNC's graduation rates are totally bogus? Just when was he the proudest? When he embarrassed "the flagship" school?
Wow. It looks like Thorpe
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 17:56 — awdracerWow. It looks like Thorpe had a talk with Withers. What an embarassment for UNC.
Does is bother any UNC-CHeat fans that Withers' explanation is a total lie?
Gradution Rates
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 17:18 — keihinI guess it's easy to have high graduation rates when you're running these kids through fake classes and having the coach hire a tutor to write their papers for them.
I would think that the odd mix of football and academics would be the last thing that UNC-CH would want to be highlighting right now.
Sooooooooooo he's
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 17:04 — rollinsox007Sooooooooooo he's backtracking now?
He goes out and says some really, really dumb stuff, and when the pressure gets put on him he tries to change what he says. What a leader.
Rollins, there won't be any
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 17:59 — awdracerheelsforever, there won't be any pre-game fireworks between them. Thorp has already put the bit in Withers' mouth and TOB has too much class to pull anything. He's been a HC for 20 years.
Will the coaches
Thu, 11/03/2011 - 16:04 — HeelsforeverWill the coaches meet before or after the game for a handshake? Hope the cameras are on them if they do, becuase it should be good theatre.