UNC: Butch Davis Fired 'To Restore Confidence In University'

Minutes after reports first broke, the University of North Carolina has confirmed the firing of Tar Heels football head coach Butch Davis. In a statement, the school confirms that black marks on its "academic integrity" drove the move, while also confirming that HEY FOOTBALL STARTS LIKE REALLY SOON.

Chancellor Holden Thorp on the firing of coach Davis:

To restore confidence in the University of North Carolina and our football program, it's time to make a change. What started as a purely athletic issue has begun to chip away at this University's reputation. I have been deliberate in my approach to understanding this situation fully, and I have worked to be fair to everyone involved. However, I have lost confidence in our ability to come through this without harming the way people think of this institution. Our academic integrity is paramount and we must work diligently to protect it. The only way to move forward and put this behind us is to make a change.

Athletics and football are an important part of this University, and a successful football program is essential to the overall health of our athletic program. That's why we have to put this behind us and move forward.   

And here's athletic director Dick Baddour:

I want to thank Butch Davis and his family for their four-plus years of service and dedication to the University and the Chapel Hill community. My staff and I will work with Chancellor Thorp to transition to an interim head coach as soon as possible. It is critical that we do all we can to help our students and other staff members on the football team since preseason training camp begins in just eight days.    

Stay tuned to this UNC football investigation StoryStream, and keep an eye on Butch Davis and the North Carolina football program over at Carolina March.