University of North Carolina Athletics
Torbush Comments on Dismissal
November 20, 2000 | Football
Nov. 20, 2000
Carl Torbush released the following statement Monday:
At the University of North Carolina football program, we have worked to make our players winners in every aspect of life, both on and off the football field. In that regard, this football program is on very solid ground.
Academically, we have recruited student-athletes who have the ability to be successful in the classroom at UNC. We have taught them the value of a UNC education, and held them accountable for doing what they need to do to graduate. We have recruited student-athletes and demanded that they represent this University in a first-class manner both on and off the playing field.
Athletically, this team is ready to step up to the next level of excellence. We have had three outstanding recruiting classes in a row and stand on the verge of a fourth outstanding class this year. Defensively, we have demonstrated that the group of nine returning starters for next year has a chance to be among the finest units in the country. Offensively, our staff has done an outstanding job installing a new, exciting system that showed against Duke what it is capable of accomplishing. Seven starters will return for that unit in 2001. Next year, in every phase of the game, this team will have experienced starters, excellent depth and talented young reserves.
The University has made a decision to change the leadership of this football program. The decision for a change was in no way mine, and while I respect their right to make a change, I deeply hurt for the players, staff, families and friends of this program who have devoted their heart and souls to building a team of winners in every aspect of life.
My focus in the coming days will include two critical areas. I will continue to lead this program through the initial stage of this transition period. There are many great friends among the faculty and staff of this University that I need to thank for their support of this program, and I want to ensure that the players, staff, families and friends that I have grown to love in my time in Chapel Hill are equipped to handle this challenge as we have worked to handle all challenges in a first-class, positive manner.
Secondly, the young men that make up this team deserve the opportunity to represent the University of North Carolina and the Atlantic Coast Conference in a bowl game. Three consecutive wins to end the season make us one of the most improved and competitive teams in the conference.
ecause of my focus on those tasks, I do not wish to comment on any other details of this change at this time. I trust that this statement will amply explain my thoughts on this matter.
