Davis’ son walk-on for Tar Heels
North Carolina fired dad/coach last year
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Drew Davis wanted to play football at North Carolina for his father, Butch Davis. He’ll get the chance to accomplish at least part of that goal.
Drew has enrolled in summer school as a walk-on quarterback for new Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora, who took over in Chapel Hill after the school fired Butch Davis amid an NCAA investigation of improper benefits and academic misconduct.
In an interview with the Associated Press, the former coach said he and his wife, Tammy, supported their son’s decision despite the turmoil and hurt that followed his abrupt firing just before training camp last summer.
“I think he was concerned about how we’d feel,” Tammy Davis said. “But we just kept reiterating that it was his decision.”
“He wanted us all to be OK with it,” Butch Davis added.
The coaching change threw Drew’s once-set college plan into question just before his record-setting senior season at nearby East Chapel Hill. But UNC team spokesman Kevin Best confirmed Drew started classes here Thursday.
Butch Davis, who wasn’t cited for an NCAA violation in the probe, is currently a consultant to head coach Greg Schiano with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He said he met Fedora in the spring and also reached out to offensive coordinator Blake Anderson about Drew joining Fedora’s program.