Contrary to this CBS Sports report, UNC football coach Butch Davis does not have an exit clause in his contract that would allow him to leave penalty-free for Arkansas.

He expressed no interest when asked today about possibly returning to his alma mater after this season.

"The unfortunate thing is," he said of the report, "I did play there, my father lives there, and I've got a lot of friends there. ... But I am thrilled to be here, and I believe the program here, we've spent a great year, this first year, building stuff. And there's so many positive things going on with this program, I'm excited about the future of our program."

So would he leave for Arkansas?

"I just told you, I'm thrilled to be at North Carolina,'' he said.

[More:]

A UNC spokesman confirmed that Davis does not have an out nor are there addendums to the contract that would allow the first-year coach to leave for Arkansas or any other school without a financial penalty.

Davis signed a seven-year contract worth about $1.86 million annually in Nov. 2006. If he decides to leave for another coaching job, a buyout clause would force him to pay UNC between $700,000 and $2 million, depending on the length of his tenure.

— Robbi Pickeral and Jaymes Powell Jr.

10/23/07 at 21:09
I love the fact Davis said he is excited about being at UNC. What I'm not excited about is that Davis did not say "No, I'm not leaving UNC to go anywhere - including Arkansas if it becomes open." Maybe he doesn't have to say it, but it would sound REALLY nice to me (and I bet a lot of other UNC fans). Don't get me wrong, though. I don't believe Davis is going anywhere anytime soon. In a "perfect" world, he would build UNC into a yearly contender and retire setting up the possibility of a dynasty in Chapel Hill.... Go Heels!! Beat the heel out of the Deacons.

10/23/07 at 21:27
I just listened to Coach Davis on the Inside the Huddle site @ Tarheelblue.com and he said (paraphrased) Do not believe independent sources. If you want the truth get it here, and I am thrilled to be here, and am going nowhere. He spoke to folks trying to steer recruits away by spreading nontruths. I think it was smart of him to say something about it on his own web site. I think this topic will be put to rest for some time. Go Heels

10/23/07 at 21:43
Everything yields to diligence! $$ talks and Arkansas can back it up! SEC > ACC in football. Basketball is still king in CH. Big fish in a little pond in the Ozarks. Time will tell!

10/23/07 at 23:00
Whatever...

Kudos to the N&O staff for debunking Dodd and asking the question.

10/24/07 at 20:32
To my knowledge, UNC's athletic boosters have yet to ever really flex their $$$ muscles. If the call went out, I'm sure $$$ would become available. How do you build a nice basketball arena, and basketball museum, a new baseball stadium, improve the football stadium, a soccer center, etc... with no $$$? I'm sure Arkansas has a very nice university, and all. None of this is aimed at them at all, but even UNC fans can type "$$$"'s. Im sure both university's have alumni with plenty of $$$ (unfortunately, I do not count myself among them).

10/25/07 at 00:22
if it comes down to money, UNC will have it to give. we;ll just have to sit back and watch. not worried in the least right now.

I dont think the trustees would have hired him if they thought he was going to leave after a year or two.

If I recall correctly, the issues at Arkansas had already started prior to Butch being hired. Thats what gives me the most peace with this.

And if my timeline is wrong, i'm still not concerned.