University of North Carolina Athletics
Spring Football: Hedgecock, Curry Switch Positions
April 1, 2003 | Football
April 1, 2003
Hedgecock Moves Back to Defense: During the offseason, Head Coach John Bunting said that the coaching staff was fighting over Madison Hedgecock. That fight continues.
"The offensive coaches want him on their side and the defensive coaches want him on their side." said Bunting. "He can help us at either position."
On Monday, Hedgecock officially moved back to defensive end after practicing at fullback for the first eight days of spring workouts. A 6-3, 260-pound rising junior, Hedgecock is expected to compete for playing time at defensive end, a position he played in the final six games of the year. He finished the season with 21 tackles, including 11 solo stops and 10 assists. He also added 2.5 tackles for loss. His best game came at Wake Forest when he played both offense and defense and tallied a season-high six tackles.
Hedgecock entered the spring as the Tar Heels' top fullback and was competing for playing time with sophomore transfer Rikki Cook and junior James Gibson. Cook irritated his left knee in Saturday's scrimmage and did not practice on Monday.
Curry Practicing at Wide Receiver: Rising junior Chris Curry was moved from free safety to wide receiver on Monday as the Tar Heels try to strengthen their wide receiver corps. Curry (6-1, 198) was one of only two true freshmen to play in every game in 2001. Last season he started the first four games of the season at strong safety before being replaced by DeFonte Coleman. Curry finished the season with 32 tackles, three pass breakups, two tackles for loss and one sack. Curry entered the spring as the back up to first-team All-ACC safety Dexter Reid.
Carey Shows Improvement: Converted tailback Mahlon Carey has impressed the coaching staff this spring with his tackling ability. Carey is currently competing with senior Michael Harris and sophomore Tommy Richardson for the strong safety spot. Last season Carey played tailback in the last six games of the season, rushing for 216 yards on 56 carries. Although he did not make the switch to defense until this spring, Carey did play safety in high school, registering 90 tackles and three interceptions.
"He's shown that he has the ability to tackle and obviously, that's important," said Bunting.
UNC Coaches Clinic: On April 3rd, 4th, and 5th the University of North Carolina will be hosting its Annual Spring Football Coaches Clinic. The keynote speaker is Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Dick Vermeil. For registration forms and more information on the clinic, click HERE.
Our speakers this year include:
* Dick Vermeil, Head Coach, Kansas City Chiefs
* John Bunting, Head Coach, University of North Carolina
* Mark Dantonio, Defensive Coordinator, Ohio State University
* Jack Henry, Offensive Line Coach, New Orleans Saints
* Bobby Poss, Head Coach, AC Reynolds High School, 4A State Champions
* Mike Briggs, Defensive Coordinator, Ashbrook High School, 3AA State Champions
* Keith Wilkes, Head Coach, Carver High School, 3A State Champions
* Jimmy Teague, Head Coach, Reidsville High School, 2AA State Champions
* Steve Johnson, Head Coach, Cummings High School, 2A State Champions
* Jack Gaster, Head Coach, Albemarle High School, 1AA State Champions
* Richard Grissom, Head Coach, Elkin High School, 1A State Champions
* Brad Lawing, Defensive Line Coach / Recruiting Coordinator, UNC
* Dave Huxtable, Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers, UNC
* Andre' Powell, Running Backs / Punt Team, UNC
* Kenny Browning, Tight Ends / Director of High School Relations, UNC
* Jeff Connors, Assistant Athletic Director - Strength & Conditioning, UNC
NFL Notes:
Free-agent defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday (UNC '98) is set to visit the Kansas City Chiefs where he could end up alongside former standout Tar Heel Ryan Sims. Holliday, who played his first five years for Green Bay, has met with Arizona and Seattle and has an offer on the table from the Cardinals. Sims played in just six games last season before dislocating his elbow and missing the remainder of the year.
Other Carolina-NFL links:
