Heels Pony Up

It takes more money keep a Mercedes in top running shape than it does a Chevy. When North Carolina hired Butch Davis last year, they entered the world of luxury coaches which can be an expensive up keeping. 

UNC has given Davis a 1-year contract extension and a yearly salary boost of $291,000 through the year 2014. Next year he will join the "2 million dollar per season salary club" which is half of what Nick Saban earns at Alabama. Coaching salaries are at an all-time high and will continue to climb as long as schools continue to pay it.

The key line in the UNC press release was the last one. "This should put to rest any speculation of where I'll be coaching in the future," said Davis. Just the mere mention of Butch being on a school's wish list urged the Heels ante up.

You can't fault Davis for this. He's business savvy with a strong resume. The University has seen what he can do in one season and I'm not talking about 3 to 4 wins. Look at the athletes he is bringing in and he'll continue to sway to Chapel Hill. Butch has had his team ready to compete. Carolina has only played 2 stinkers this year, South Florida and Wake Forest. 

The next step is to work on Kenan stadium. “The expansion part of it, we need another 8,000 to 10,000 seats and I think it will be a combination of general admission, club seating and sky boxes," Davis said on November 20. If ever there is a fan base that fits the mold of sky boxes and club seating, it's the Tar Heels. (The Dean Dome could use some suites as well.) It's a status symbol to have a suite and be seen in a suite. It's good for businesses and some who bleed light blue would gladly reach into their deep pockets to watch a game in style.

Which brings us back to Butch Davis. The big spenders pockets may have remained closed had the Heels not hired a luxury coach like Butch. An extra $291,000 per year for Davis is an investment that Carolina is banking on will turn into a large dividend for Tar Heel football.