Heels focus on team, not Vols

CHAPEL HILL -- North Carolina athletics director Dick Baddour has a longstanding policy not to discuss whether any other school has called him to inquire about a coach, or whether he has called any school to ask about one of their coaches.

So when asked Monday whether Tennessee has asked permission to talk to football coach Butch Davis about its head coaching vacancy, Baddour said he wanted to stick with that policy.

However, "Coach Davis has spoken clearly and loudly about his commitment to North Carolina," Baddour said. "... All of us, especially Coach Davis, are so focused on the team and this week's game at Maryland ... and I'm just so proud and happy for this program, and what he has done."

Davis, who earned a raise and contract extension last season after rumors swirled that Arkansas was interested in luring him away, said last week that being linked to other jobs is just part of being in the business for so long. "You just grin and bear it," he said.

When asked whether he had any interest in the Tennessee job, Davis said then: "The long and short of it is that the administration and I are completely, firmly committed to building a championship football program at North Carolina. And my family and I are very happy in Chapel Hill." Asked about it again Sunday, he referred to his previous statement.

Baddour, meanwhile, said he thinks all of the speculation is unfair to players and fans.

"I think it's one thing if people have some direct knowledge of things," he said. " ... Rumors are flying all over the place, and I regret anything that takes away from energy to this program, and focus on this program. These players deserve that, Coach Davis deserves that."

Meanwhile, Baddour said he plans to meet soon with the Educational Foundation to further discuss funding for Phase I of the Kenan Stadium renovation, which is expected to cost $22 million. The state legislature has already approved $50 million in borrowing for the project which will be backed by user fees, ticket sales and private donations.

The design was approved by the Board of Trustees in July; upgrades are slated to begin after this season. The other two phases of the project will need the trustees' approval. Baddour said the concentration right now is on Phase I, and he doesn't know when the full project will be presented to the Board.