North Carolina 2006 Team Preview

John Bunting often likes to discuss North Carolina’s place in what he calls “this new ACC.” So it’s fitting that in 2006, UNC’s head coach will have three new faces on his coaching staff.

The Tar Heels played their first five years under Bunting with Gary Tranquill as their offensive coordinator. When Tranquill retired, Bunting hired Frank Cignetti from Fresno State to replace him. Bunting went back to Fresno State to hire Mark Weber as offensive line coach when Hal Hunter left for the NFL, and he tapped former Virginia Tech assistant Danny Pearman to be the defensive ends coach when Brad Lawing took a job at South Carolina.

UNC lost at least one key player from all three levels of its defense — Tommy Davis and Chase Page up front, Tommy Richardson at linebacker and Cedrick Holt at cornerback — but continues to add depth and speed with each passing year.

That kind of progression is what Bunting needs if the Tar Heels are to continue their ascent in the expanded ACC. The Tar Heels are 9–7 against ACC opponents in the last two years, tied for the fourth-best record in league play since expansion.

LOWDOWN

Coach: John Bunting (6th season, 24-36)
2005 record: 5-6
ACC finish: 4-4 (4th Coastal)
2005 I-A offensive rankings:
Rushing: 106th (101.5 ypg)
Passing: 72nd (214.3 ypg)
2005 I-A defensive rankings:
Rushing: 42nd (138.2 ypg)
Passing: 49th (211.0 ypg)

DEPTH CHART

Offense (5)

WR  9  *Jesse Holley  Sr.  88  Brooks Foster  So.
WR  87  Brandon Tate  So.  3  Kenton Thornton  Fr.
LT  65  *Brian Chacos  Sr.  67  Andre Barbour  Fr.
LG  77  *Charlston Gray  Jr.  79  Calvin Darity  So.
C  63  Ben Lemming  So.  64  Scott Lenahan  Jr.
RG  72  Kyle Jolly  Fr.  76  Bryon Bishop  So.
RT  73  Garrett Reynolds  So.  71  Kendall High  Sr.
TE  86  *Jon Hamlett  Sr.  89  Richard Quinn  So.
QB  12  Joe Dailey  Jr.  11  Cam Sexton  Fr.
FB  43  Nick Starcevic  So.  36  Kennedy Tinsley  Fr.
TB  25  *Ronnie McGill  Sr.  32  Barrington Edwards  Jr.

Defense (7)

DE  42  *Brian Rackley  Sr.  33  Hilee Taylor  Jr.
DT  74  Kyndraus Guy  Jr.  93  Cam Thomas  Fr.
DT  75  *Shelton Bynum  Sr.  94  Khalif Mitchell  Jr.
DE  90  Kentwan Balmer  Jr.  58  Melik Brown  Sr.
SLB  32  *Larry Edwards  Sr.  56  Garrett White  So.
MLB  48  *Durell Mapp  Jr.  54  Victor Worsley  Sr.
WLB  44  Chase Rice  So.  21  Martel Thatch  Jr.
CB  3  Quinton Person  Jr.  35  Bryan Bethea  Jr.
CB  16  *Jacoby Watkins  Sr.  23  Jordan Hemby  Fr.
SS  31  *Trimane Goddard  Jr.  28  D.J. Walker  Sr.
FS  27  *Kareen Taylor  Sr.  20  Cooter Arnold  So.

Special Teams

K  10  Connor Barth  Jr.
P  45  David Wooldridge  Sr.
PR  87  Brandon Tate  So.
PR  87  Brandon Tate  So.

(#) Indicates number of returning starters
* Indicates returning starters

2006 SCHEDULE

Sept. 2  Rutgers
Sept. 9  Virginia Tech
Sept. 16  Furman
Sept. 23  at Clemson
Oct. 7  at Miami
Oct. 14  South Florida
Oct. 19  at Virginia
Oct. 28  Wake Forest
Nov. 4  at Notre Dame
Nov. 11  Georgia Tech
Nov. 18  NC State
Nov. 25  at Duke

OFFENSE

North Carolina will have a new offense and a new quarterback in 2006. The Tar Heels, who finished outside the nation’s top 100 in yards and points per game last season, hope the new combination produces better results.

Frank Cignetti, who orchestrated Fresno State’s high-powered offense for the past four seasons, has replaced the retired Gary Tranquill as UNC’s offensive coordinator. Cignetti cites Tranquill as one of his mentors, so the offense won’t be unrecognizable to UNC fans. But players during spring practice expressed excitement about more downfield passing and a more physical running game. The team also showed more formations than in years past.

Nebraska transfer Joe Dailey and redshirt freshman Cam Sexton are competing to be the team’s starting quarterback. Dailey has the edge in running ability and experience, having started for one season at Nebraska, but Sexton is a better pure passer.

The Tar Heels lack experience and depth at wide receiver, having lost four of their top five targets on the outside from a year ago, but they have the potential for a strong running game with senior tailback Ronnie McGill and an experienced left side of the offensive line.

DEFENSE

UNC lost at least one key player from all three levels of its defense — Tommy Davis and Chase Page up front, Tommy Richardson at linebacker and Cedrick Holt at cornerback — but continues to add depth and speed with each passing year.

The Tar Heels lack depth up front, but they have capable players in tackles Shelton Bynum and Kyndraus Guy and ends Brian Rackley and Kentwan Balmer.

Depth isn’t as big an issue at linebacker, but experience is. Senior Larry Edwards, who tied for the team lead with 91 tackles last season, returns as the lone standout of the group.

The defense’s best unit will likely be the secondary. Senior Jacoby Watkins enters his third year as a starter at cornerback after coming back from a broken right leg last season, while juniors Quinton Person and Bryan Bethea have starting experience at the other corner.

Those players flank a pair of playmaking safeties — senior Kareen Taylor and junior Trimane Goddard. Taylor is the best blitzer on the Tar Heels’ roster, tallying 3.5 sacks last season. Goddard registered a team-high three interceptions despite starting only six games last year.

SPECIALISTS

UNC’s kicking game is in good hands — or on good feet — this season. Junior Connor Barth, who made 14-of-18 field goals as a freshman, will look to bounce back from his 11-of-21 performance last season. Senior David Wooldridge is back for his third season as UNC’s primary punter.

Sophomore Brandon Tate was the ACC’s No. 2 kickoff returner and No. 3 punt returner last season.

FINAL ANALYSIS

With three new assistant coaches — offensive line coach Mark Weber and defensive ends coach Danny Pearman, in addition to Cignetti — players say they sense a buzz and positive aura around the program. Whether that feeling turns into victories remains to be seen.

At least the Tar Heels finally have a manageable schedule. After enduring one of the nation’s toughest schedules each of the last two seasons, UNC opens 2006 with three consecutive home games and plays seven of 12 games at Kenan Stadium.

The team isn’t in position to contend for the ACC title, but six or seven victories and a bowl trip are realistic possibilities.

This North Carolina team preview was pulled from our 2006 National College Football preview magazine.  To order this or the 2006 ACC Regional preview magazine - with expanded team page coverage and conference features - click here