NCAA interviews UNC players

NCAA investigators looking into the University of North Carolina’s football program have interviewed defensive tackle Marvin Austin and wide receiver Greg Little, the Charlotte Observer has learned. Sources familiar with the situation have said the two players were interviewed in connection with possible improper involvement with sports agents. – Charlotte Observer

NCAA investigating UNC football program

North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour said Thursday the NCAA is investigating a sports program at the school regarding possible rules violations. Baddour declined to say which sport, but a person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press the NCAA is looking at Butch Davis’ football program. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the investigation is confidential. “I was told that I could limit my comments to the fact that they had been here and they wanted me to say that we had indeed been cooperative,” said Baddour, adding that the inquiry “has our full attention.” The investigation began with a phone call from the NCAA, Baddour said, though he didn’t say when the call came or when investigators had visited the Chapel Hill campus. – AP

Butch Davis’ intent is to stay with UNC Tar Heels

Burned by the public promise he broke at Miami in 2000, Butch Davis no longer uses definitive statements in regard to his future. When asked about his future at North Carolina, Davis went about as far as he’s willing to go. “I have every intention of making this my last job,” Davis said in an extensive interview this spring. Davis, 58, has three seasons in the books at UNC, with five seasons left on his contract. His fourth Tar Heels team promises to be his best, with 19 starters back from a team that won eight games. Davis gives himself an out with references to “every intention,” because shortly after telling his Miami team, in no uncertain terms, that he wasn’t leaving, he left for the Cleveland. – Charlotte Observer

LSU-North Carolina to Open 2010 Season in Atlanta

LSU announced today that it will open their 2010 football season in Atlanta, GA against the North Carolina Tar Heels. The game will be played on September 4 at the Georgia Dome. The contest will be televised by ESPN in what will be a prime time national broadcastcast. “This is a great opportunity for us to showcase our program on a national scale against a top program from the ACC,” LSU Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva said. “This will be an exciting way to start the season and we think this will be a great experience for our fans. A prime time national telecast means tremendous exposure for our football program and our university.” This will mark the seventh meeting between the two schools, the teams last met in 1986 when LSU posted a 30-3 win over North Carolina in Tiger Stadium. LSU leads the overall series with North Carolina, 5-1. – EyeOnTheTigers.com

Scoop: With Tub in Trouble, is Butch on Horizon?

The winds of change have been set in motion in Auburn, Alabama. Sources at the school tell Football Rumor Mill that Coach Tommy Tuberville’s chances of returning in 2009 look about the same as a Republican takeover of Congress next month.

Saturday’s 22-25 loss to Arkansas may be the beginning of the end for Tub. Talk about irony… Remember “Jet Gate” in 2003? Steve Ensminger was calling the plays for Auburn’s offense and a bunch of trustees wanted to hire then Louisville Coach Bobby Petrino to replace Tuberville.

Fast forward to 2008… Tommy Tuberville fired his latest offensive coordinator earlier in the week (his fifth). Now, he has Steve Ensminger calling his plays and current Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino likely just cost him his job.

Barring a miracle turnaround, it’s hard to see who Auburn beats the rest of the season. Following an off week, the Tigers travel to West Virginia, play at Ole Miss, return home to take on UT-Martin and end the season with Georgia and Alabama. Getting to seven wins would be a season salvaged. Auburn could conceivably finish 5-7. We’re not sure seven wins would be enough to ensure Tuberville’s return. In fact, we’re told he likely has to win at least eight.

Who would replace him? That’s an interesting question. With Petrino likely off the table, next in line would have probably been Florida State OC Jimbo Fisher. However, Fisher was named head coach in waiting for the Seminoles last year. The three names we’ve been hearing are North Carolina Coach Butch Davis, Texas DC Will Muschamp and Georgia Tech Coach Paul Johnson, whom we consider a long shot.