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Sunday, June 1, 2008
Faith on the Field
Western Arkansas, AR
By: Bo Mattingly
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Photo(s) By: Kyle Danztler/MyActionPortraits.com
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INTERVIEW WITH NORTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL COACH BUTCH DAVIS
Bo: Who is Butch Davis? How do you describe yourself to parents and athletes when you are recruiting?
BD: I have been fortunate to be around a number of great coaches including Frank Broyles who I played for, Jimmy Johnson and many others and you learn a lot from all of them. I want parents to understand that their child getting an education is just as important as going to the NFL. We want to win championships at North Carolina, but to do that without graduating players would be pretty hollow. I take great pride in the number players we graduated in my last three years at University of Miami. We want to create an environment that helps players become complete individuals, not just football, but relationships. We talk about character, integrity, honesty, about faith and having a program that models all those things. We want to be a complete program.
Bo: What have you learned about yourself the last couple of years?
BD: At times you feel like you are bullet proof. You are young, you’re healthy, the sky is the limit. I have been so blessed to be a part of National Championship teams and Super Bowl teams. The recent scare I had with cancer was one of a couple of wake up calls that made me realize how important that my faith actually is. I don’t sweat the small stuff any more. I am just thankful to be able to spend time with my wife and son and it has put into perspective what is really important. One of the toughest things for coaches is the time it requires and if you are not careful you tend to cheat yourself out of the things that really enrich your life. I refuse to be an absentee father. I want to be an active part of my son’s life and my wife’s life and you have to really work to create that balance.
Bo: How do you find that balance?
BD: You learn to be organized. We talk as a staff about being balanced. We have a bible study. We have one night a week that is date night for the coaches to spend time with their families. In 34 years of coaching I have learned if you identify the things that you know are really important and organize your time accordingly you will find the time to have that balance in your life.
Bo: Do you have a special place in your heart for Arkansas?
BD: I absolutely love it. I have so many fond memories growing up there and going to college there and I have so many great friends and family there. I always want them to do well and hopefully they will under Bobby Petrino. I always pull for them.
Bo: Butch, thanks for your time and insight.
BD: It is always a pleasure and I look forward to doing it again in the future.
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