University of North Carolina Athletics
What Others Are Saying About John Bunting
July 29, 2002 | Football
"I wasn't surprised that they fought through those first three losses (in 2001). He knows how to handle those kinds of things. He has the ability to take that pressure to win and get players to produce. He is going to have a team here that is disciplined, that loves to play and loves to work. It will be a family atmosphere and it will be a tight knit group of players. Carolina should be proud to have John Bunting as its head coach.
Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Dick Vermeil
"He's done a great job (at UNC) and I think he'll continue to do a great job. I don't think they could have hired anybody better. I know he's got fine coaching ability. He understands the pro game as well as the college game. There's no question that he prepares guys for the NFL."
Carolina Panthers Head Coach John Fox
"He helped me out a lot, especially with little things. He tried to get me adjusted to the NFL with a training camp approach and bringing an NFL mentality to Carolina. He took me in his office and told me what it was going to be like at the next level. He had me watch some tape of guys like (NFL defensive end) Joe Johnson and telling me things that would improve my game."
Defensive End Julius Peppers
No. 1 draft pick of the Carolina Panthers
Played for Bunting in 2001
"Obviously he's done a great job at Carolina in his first season, but that's not a surprise to any of us that know John. He was, in my opinion, not the most gifted linebacker in the National Football league, but was absolutely the best prepared and the smartest. That's why he played so long and so well.
"He called all of our defenses in Super Bowl XV with the Eagles. I had him come to work with me with the Chiefs. I knew he'd be an outstanding coach, and he was. It didn't take him long to get to where he should be, which is as a head coach."
Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson
"The most important thing is John understands what it takes to play in the NFL. He's been there and he's played a long time so he can give advice to these young guys on their work ethic and what it takes to play in the national Football League, both on and off the field.
"Anytime you have a guy that's played in the league and has also coached in the league, it's nothing but a plus for the organization, especially from the standpoint that every player that comes in here in college football wants to play in the National Football League, and John can give first hand advice."
New Orleans Head Coach Jim Haslett
"He brought a different scheme to us. He brought more of an NFL feel to our practices and to our games. He played 13 years in the pros. He's got a Super Bowl ring. He's coached the No. 1 defenses in the NFL. That speaks for itself. He's got an ACC Championship ring, so whatever he tells you, it's going to be the truth. It meant a lot to me to have somebody like that."
Defensive Tackle Ryan Sims
No. 1 draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs
Played for Bunting in 2001
"I was excited for Coach Bunting and for Carolina when he took the job. He's intense, he's dedicated and he'll get things going the right way. He was our co-defensive coordinator in St. Louis and he was the mastermind in the press box. Everyone on the team will get behind Coach Bunting."
St. Louis Rams Cornerback Dre' Bly
Former Tar Heel All-America
Played for Bunting in 1999
"I remember John as a fiery person, a motivator that would get in your face and holler every once in a while, but a great guy. When there's someone he wanted, he was behind you 100 percent and backed you in everything you did. He was very intense, very into his job and loved to do what he was doing. He loved to create, loved to make up schemes and loved to design things. I think the one word that describes him is 'intensity.' He's intense in everything he does, and he wants to get the best out of every player that's on the football field playing for him. I think he did a tremendous job last year at Carolina."
St. Louis Rams Quarterback Kurt Warner
"The fact that Coach Bunting has played in the NFL really was a benefit to all three of those players [Peppers, Sims, Thornton], because he gives them an understanding of what it takes to get to that level."
Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy
"I think John Bunting is going to be the next Dean Smith of football. Why? Because John Bunting knows the game and he's a great motivator. But not in the traditional sense. He makes you think about what you can become and he puts a lot of emphasis on the seniors to implement what he's trying to do and what his goals are for the team and spread it to the younger guys on the team. The man is a great football coach. When I'm an alum from here I'm going to be glad to say I played for him."
Carolina Center Adam Metts
Played for Bunting in 2001
"He's a fair and honest man. He has a passion for his players on and off the field. He gave me the opportunity to play and didn't look at me differently because I was a former walk-on. He wants to put the best players on the site. It's a blessing that he came here when he did."
Carolina Linebacker David Thornton
2002 NFL Draft Pick of Indianapolis Colts
Played for Bunting in 2001
"John Bunting is a man of passion. He's passionate about the University of North Carolina. I know that he understands the mission of this University and will do everything he can to see that this program is operated in the values that are acceptable to this institution. And I also know he will motivate his players to go 110 percent every game and every practice."
Dick Baddour (UNC '66)
North Carolina Athletic Director
"John is a first-class individual who was the best leader as a player that I have ever been around. He has outstanding leadership abilities, football knowledge and experience. I'm certain he will be a tremendous addition to North Carolina and to the Atlantic Coast Conference."
John Swofford (UNC '71)
ACC Commissioner
Former UNC Teammate
"He has great people skills and does his job in a professional manner. He brings out the best in his players and they love to play for him."
Ron Jaworski
Former Philadelphia Eagle teammate & current ESPN NFL analyst
"I thought it was the right time to bring back a Carolina guy, somebody who loved the University, had helped build the program and wanted to see it back for personal reasons. He was someone who had given a lot of himself on Navy Field. Like Coach Dooley always said, he wore that blue bonnet with pride. Plus, he's a good coach. He's done a great job wherever he's been. He's a players' coach. He gets guys to play hard and with passion."
Charles Waddell (UNC '74)
Carolina Panthers Director of Marketing and Sponsorships
"Anyone who comes here and wants to be a better football player and a better person will get that if they come to Carolina under John Bunting. This guys knows football and is totally committed. If you really want to be the best, this is the guy to get around."
Paul Miller (UNC '72)
Former UNC teammate
"I played with John back in the early 1970s and late 1960s. To me, John was one of the most intense football players I've ever come across and what always impressed me about John's football ability was how he studied the game. He was a real scholar in the game of football. He'll be a great recruiter and the one thing that I can assure you is that the team will be ready to play on Saturday with John Bunting at the helm."
Don McCauley (UNC '70)
2001 College Hall of Fame Inductee & Former Bunting Teammate
