Larry Fedora talked briefly during his various national signing day appearances about some of the “comical” things opposing coaches said about UNC during recruiting.
Fedora declined to share the specifics of what rival coaches might have told prospects about what penalties UNC might face. It’s not too difficult to imagine. Certainly the prospect of a bowl ban would have been raised. Probably the prospect of a multi-year bowl ban was used against the Tar Heels. Massive scholarship cuts, which would affect UNC’s ability to be competitive.
Fedora said he and his staff had to deal with other aspects of negative recruiting, too. Some schools, he said, told prospects that Fedora wouldn’t actually install his up-tempo spread offense at UNC. Instead, those other schools said, the Tar Heels would run the same type of traditional pro-style offense that’s been the norm in Chapel Hill since, well … a long time.
“There were schools that were actually out there saying, hey, they’re not going to run that offense,” Fedora said. “They’re going to run what they’ve always run here at North Carolina. Which I found very comical. So it was – that’s just the way it is in recruiting.”
Needless to say, having NCAA penalties looming is a huge albatross to hang on a coaches neck. Opposing coaches undoubtedly tell prospects that UNC could get a bowl ban, possibly for two years. I imagine they also throw around words like “probation” around knowing it sounds bad but in reality it does not really affect the program. They also point to UNC’s NCAA troubles as evidence the program is dirty which plays on the parents more so than the propsect himself.
For rational adults like you and I who are well informed about these matters, the negative recruiting can be easily answered. For a 17-18 year old high school player being asked to make a life altering decision which requires them to put their trust in the guy sitting in their living room, the water can get muddy in a hurry. Add the parental factor to it and things can really get complicated.
The real obstacle for any coach with potential NCAA penalties is the lack of specifics. Fedora and the rest of the staff can paint as rosy picture as possible but only using the broadest statements. If you tell a prospect there will be no bowl ban, he commits then UNC gets one, it creates credibility problems, especially if it filters down to high school coaches. On the flip side, an opposing coach can paint a dire picture, even be specific and it probably matters less providing they don’t reach too far. The power of negative recruiting(and campaigning in politics) is in the emotional response. Negative attacks are used to draw on people’s fears and emotions in order to cloud their judgment. It doesn’t always work because you hope people are smart enough to really investigate these matters for themselves. Unlike in politics, most of the information a prospect will get or cares about will comes from the coaches recruiting them. At that point it becomes a question of which coach does the prospect believe and trust the most.
Of course the telling part of what Fedora said had to do with non-NCAA related negative recruiting. Fedora said opposing coaches were telling recruits UNC was not planning on running his spread offense but stick with the pro-style that has been a staple for years in Chapel Hill. This kind of attack either came from teams who also run some variation of the spread which is likely since programs look for good fits or some coaches are concerned UNC’s offense might be more attractive to prospects. I am betting more on the former but Fedora’s sale pitch is the high octane offense so that will end up being a point of attack for some.
At some point here soon, the NCAA will issue the final report and all the cards will be on the table so Fedora can head into the next recruiting cycle with a clearer picture of the state of the program.
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UNC should be able to dominate Football recruiting in NC as they traditionally do in other sports. Lots of kids want to attend UNC in state due to the excellence of the school and the many benefits that would follow aside from a scholarship.
Certainly the NCAA mess will eventually pass. I hope this happens by mid year, which should allow rational recruits time to fairly decide in favor of UNC.
At that point they will be able to recruit based on an improved staff, new offense, outside proven results and so forth.
is Fedora allowed to say ANYTHING at all about what he merely thinks the NCAA will say, when he talks to a recruit?
can he even answer yes or no to questions like “will you
be banned from a bowl for 2 years?”
Here is the thing. I think UNC has some idea of what’s coming. They retained lawyers with NCAA enforcement experience so I find it hard to believe they don’t have some concept of what the final penalties are. That being said, the NCAA is totally unpredictable so “never say never” is in play. For Fedora, the answer to the question above is “I cannot say for certain but having spoke to my AD and looking at the way the NCAA has handled bowl bans in the past we feel like it won’t happen. There are no guarantees however.”
Not the best answer in the world but it is what it is. The thing about the bowl ban is the impact to a 2012 recruit would be minimal. Most of these guys will redshirt so it is sort of a moot point. If it is a two year ban, it matters more then.
“Fedora said opposing coaches were telling recruits UNC was not planning on running his spread offense but stick with the pro-style that has been a staple for years in Chapel Hill.”
Yes, and Roy Williams will adopt the zone defense and Princeton offense.
Another important point about the incoming recruits is that they REALLY want to attend UNC. This is important. I am sure that the new coaching staff has been very direct about what the current lay of the land is. So it should be a motivated and realistic bunch. Which matters a lot.
^Motivated players is exactly why Fedora will end up with a better record than BD. Oh yeah, discipline and better X’s and O’s won’t hurt either. Recruiting isn’t everything.
Bottom line is if you want to win a BCS title you have to have recruits plus the motivation and coaching which is why Alabama is so good. UNC had recruiting but motivation was so-so and coaching was below average. Now I would surmise the latter two are above par but the recruiting is not what it was. That being said, Virginia Tech doesn’t necessarily set the recruiting world on fire either. What UNC needs in future classes is a handful of can’t miss recruits to go along with a solid group of guys who can/are willing to be coached up and developed.
You have to have decent athletes. But during the last few years the discipline and team work of the Football program could be more consistent. This will provide a real opportunity for this new group.
no one is talking about a BCS title THF, but competing for the coastal division, and a shot at the ACC title would be a nice bonus.
5 years from now when the dust settles, we are going to see how much talent Butch davis wasted while he was at UNC.
I was speaking in general terms. In UNC’s case and to win the Coastal I think you are talking about good coaching and player development plus good recruiting which means (1) some top notch talent and (2) players with plenty of potential. In other words, Fedora needs to snag a few four star guys here and there but also have a good eye for guys that will develop into very good players.
There is a big step from high school to D1 major sports. Where it was lost in FB seems in the structure and adherence to the program.
It has to be clear that if players do not follow rules and work outs, they will not play. The S&C staff play a huge role in this. As do the academic support staff.
Once players see what to do, are monitored year round, and learn the consequences things will get better.
Some of this has to radiate from the top. There has to be enforcement. Then good stuff will happen.
I can see other coaches laying out issues at UNC, trying to reinforce problems, introduce doubt, makes sense, part of the game. Having some coach talk about what offense or defense system another school will run is a gift. That’s a great opportunity to destroy the credibility of the other coach and take the high road at the same time. You could always go with the “Liar or Stupid” defense in which you turn the other person’s argument around and let the consumer determine if the other person is just stupid or is lying. Sure it’s a red herring but it’s too easy to make that leap.
Maybe the first salvo over the bow to the angelic and ever perfect TOB over thar at State College?
Very jealous of this talk about the coach visiting your home…. Perhaps not that important. Never had a coach in home. Had several mailed letters of interest/invites by various schools. Come meet the coach, watch a flick, eat with the team, visit the field house, meet and greet with various people. Best thing was cheerleaders fawning all over (put-up to it no doubt). Watch the game. Went on like this several times until the big question via campus visit, over the phone, and some letters. Final signing was again by mail (no one in my town had a fax machine yet).
WHOA BABY! Three of incoming players to feature at Jordan Classic.
That’s 3 of the twenty.
http://espn.go.com/high-school/boys-basketball/story/_/id/7529171/2012-jordan-brand-classic-rosters
let me just say that if the paper tiger, known as the ncaa, comes down on the heels, after all that they have overlooked over the years, then there is no justice.