University of North Carolina Athletics
ACC Football Kickoff: Tar Heels Picked Fifth
July 25, 2000 | Football
July 25, 2000
HOT SPRINGS, Va. (AP) - The 2000 Atlantic Coast Conference preseason football poll as voted on by 74 media members attending the league's annual rouser. NOTE: First place votes in parenthesis.
Team Pts
1. Florida St. (74) 666
2. Clemson 581
3. Virginia 466
4. Georgia Tech 414
5. North Carolina 395
6. Maryland 326
7. N.C. State 239
8. Wake Forest 133
9. Duke 101
Quotes from Head Football Coach Carl Torbush
On Ronald Curry
On Ken Browning becoming defensive coordinator
On the status of Daniel Davis and Domonique Williams
On freshman tailback Willie Parker
Quotes from Quarterback Ronald Curry
On the new offense
On his career
On his plan to continue playing basketball and football
On consideration of redshirting
On getting off to a fast start
Winning early does wonders for the rest of the season. It gives the team confidence. The last two years we've lost the first game of the season on the final play of the game, and that's put us in a hole early. We have to make the plays when the game is close and we have to make big plays.
I think Ronald's at or near full speed. He has great quarterback skills and obviously we need him to be healthy and play. He's got a competitive nature when if you tell him he can't do something, he works that much harder to prove he can.
I have tremendous confidence in Kenny Browning. I don't know of a more knowledgeable coach. Coaching football is his job, his passion, his love. It was hard to let go, but necessary for the program because of the amount of time I have to devote to other areas of the team, like alumni relations and other administrative duties. I thought about doing this last year, but the timing is perfect this year with the talent we have coming back. I think we're close to being a very good defensive football team.
We'll most likely make a decision on their status in the next two weeks. There are some things that they each need to do academically and socially before we can make that decision. I feel strongly that Domonique is doing the right things. He's done everything right so far to return to the team and he'd return as a tailback.
There's no question that Willie Parker will enter fall practice as the number one tailback on the depth chart. Earlier this summer I was at the football center and Willie was on the concourse of the football stadium doing sprints by himself, in an effort to get ahead. That's the kind of guy he is. He'll always stay late and work extra hard to be the best football player he can be.
On the improvement of his achilles and return from injury
It's a drastic improvement. I feel like if we had a game today, I could play. I've been playing a lot of pick-up basketball and I've had good movement. I expect it to be the same when I get out there for practice in a few weeks.
There are a lot of wrinkles in our new offense with Coach O'Cain. I've been studying hard this summer and I'm ready to get on the field and try it out. I heard he (O'Cain) was a great play-caller and that's what we need. As long as he puts us in a position to win every Saturday, we'll be fine.
I really feel my next two years will be brighter than the last two. I'm anxious to get back to playing the way I"m capable of playing. I think I've shown glimpses of what I can, but I need to be more consistent. I've put together one good quarter or maybe two or three, but I need to put together a complete game.
I love playing both sports. I wouldn't have it any other way. The coaches have kept their word to me. They've allowed me to make the decision myself. As long as I'm able, I won't to keep playing both. My first impression of Coach Doherty was great. I think he'll be great for the program. He told me he didn't want me to give up football.
The only way I would ever consider redshirting would be if I get out there and can't perform the way I want to. I don't want to be ready to play halfway through the season, I want to be ready when the season starts. I think I will be.
