2009 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
Encyclopedia
The 2009 North Carolina Tar Heels football team represented the University of North Carolina
during its 57th season in the Atlantic Coast Conference
. The Tar Heels played in the Coastal Division of the conference. The Tar Heels finished the season 8–5, 4–4 in ACC
play and lost in the Meineke Car Care Bowl
19–17 against Pittsburgh
. However, in 2011, North Carolina vacated all its wins from both the 2008 season
and 2009 season.
announced that he would forgo his senior year in order to enter the 2009 NFL Draft
. In just three years Nicks had set 14 school records, including career receptions (181), career receiving yards (2,580), and career touchdowns (21). In his senior season, Nicks was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference after catching 68 passes for 1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was the only player in UNC history with more than 1,000 yards receiving in a season.
The following are some of the other key players who will no longer play for North Carolina in the 2009 season:
Offense:
Defense:
Special Teams:
Offense:
Defense:
Special Teams:
, Maryland
, and Wake Forest
.
with 260 total rushing yards (its most since 2004), and Shaun Draughn
rushing for 118 yards, his fourth 100-yard rushing game. T.J. Yates threw two touchdown passes and threw for 114 yards.
North Carolina's end Robert Quinn in the end zone, which gave North Carolina a safety, with 1:32 left in the fourth quarter.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
during its 57th season in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
. The Tar Heels played in the Coastal Division of the conference. The Tar Heels finished the season 8–5, 4–4 in ACC
2009 ACC football season
The 2009 ACC football season was an NCAA football season that was played from September 3, 2009, to January 5, 2010. The Atlantic Coast Conference consists of 12 members in two divisions. The Atlantic division consists of Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Maryland, North Carolina State and...
play and lost in the Meineke Car Care Bowl
2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl
The 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl was the eighth edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game started at 4:30 PM US EST on Saturday, December 26, 2009 and was telecasted on ESPN and ESPN360...
19–17 against Pittsburgh
2009 Pittsburgh Panthers football team
The 2009 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season was the fifth under head coach Dave Wannstedt. The 2009 season marked the team's ninth at Heinz Field and the University's 120th season overall. The 2009...
. However, in 2011, North Carolina vacated all its wins from both the 2008 season
2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
The 2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team began their season on August 30 against McNeese State at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The team originally went 4–4 in conference play and 8–5 overall, but in 2011, North Carolina vacated all its wins from the 2008 and 2009 seasons.-Recruiting:The Tar...
and 2009 season.
Key Losses
On January 5, 2009 starting wide-receiver Hakeem NicksHakeem Nicks
-New York Giants:On August 1, 2009, Nicks signed a five-year, $12.54 million contract. The deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus. During training camp, Nicks vied for a starting position with the Giants other receivers, most notably Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith.2009Nicks made his first career...
announced that he would forgo his senior year in order to enter the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. In just three years Nicks had set 14 school records, including career receptions (181), career receiving yards (2,580), and career touchdowns (21). In his senior season, Nicks was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference after catching 68 passes for 1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was the only player in UNC history with more than 1,000 yards receiving in a season.
The following are some of the other key players who will no longer play for North Carolina in the 2009 season:
Offense:
- James "Cooter" Arnold (WR)
- Bryon Bishop (OG)
- Calvin Darity (OG)
- Brooks FosterBrooks FosterFoster broke Eddie Royal's record for most bench press reps ever for a wide receiver at the NFL combine.-St. Louis Rams:On April 26, 2009, Foster was drafted in the fifth round by the St. Louis Rams. Unfortunately, his rookie season would be cut short after injuring his ankle against the New York...
(WR) - Hakeem NicksHakeem Nicks-New York Giants:On August 1, 2009, Nicks signed a five-year, $12.54 million contract. The deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus. During training camp, Nicks vied for a starting position with the Giants other receivers, most notably Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith.2009Nicks made his first career...
(WR) - Richard QuinnRichard Quinn (American football)Richard Emanuel Quinn, Jr. is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina.-Denver Broncos:...
(TE) - Garrett ReynoldsGarrett Reynolds (American football)Garrett Reynolds is an American football offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. Garret is the nephew of former 49ers linebacker Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds.Reynolds played high school football at Carter High School....
(OT) - Brandon TateBrandon Tate-2009 season:Tate was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 16, he was signed to a four-year contract with a $755,000 signing bonus. He began the 2009 season on the non-football injury list, still recovering from his knee injury from the prior season. He was...
(WR)
Defense:
- Trimane Goddard (S)
- Mark Paschal (LB)
- Chase Rice (LB)
Special Teams:
- Terrence Brown (P)
Key Returns
For 2009, the Tar Heels are likely to return numerous starters from the previous season. The following players will maintain their playing eligibility and in all likelihood will return for the season:Offense:
- T.J. Yates (QB), returning leader in passing touchdowns (11)
- Shaun DraughnShaun DraughnShaun Draughn is an American football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He played college football at North Carolina.-Early life:...
(RB), returning leader in rushing yards (866) - Greg LittleGreg Little (American football)Greg Little is an American football wide receiver. He played college football and college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and currently plays for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League.-College career:...
(WR), returning leader in passing yards (146)
Defense:
- Kendric Burney (CB), returning leader in interceptions (3)
- Deunta WilliamsDeunta WilliamsDeunta Williams is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He played football for the University of North Carolina...
(S), returning leader in interceptions (3) - Quan SturdivantQuan SturdivantQuan Sturdivant is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. He played as a middle linebacker for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. He was considered one of the top linebackers in the Atlantic Coast Conference...
(LB), returning leader in total tackles (122) - Bruce Carter (LB), returning leader in sacks (5) and tackles for loss (11)
Special Teams:
- Casey Barth (K), returning leader in field goals made (10)
- Jay Wooten (K), returning leader in kick-offs (71)
Recruiting
As of February 6, 2009, Scout.com rated North Carolina's 2009 recruiting class as 5th in the nation, Rivals.com ranked North Carolina's recruiting class as 6th, and ESPN ranked 12th. Joshua Adams (WR) and Kevin Reddick (LB) plan to enroll in January 2009 and do not count against the limit of 25 recruits per year. The other following players have offered North Carolina non-binding verbal commitments. These pledges can become binding when recruits sign their National Letters of Intent on February 4, 2009.Coaching staff
| Name | Position | Seasons in Position |
|---|---|---|
| Butch Davis Butch Davis Paul Hilton "Butch" Davis, Jr. is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He was the head coach at the University of Miami from 1995 to 2000, the Cleveland Browns of the NFL from 2001 to 2004, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2007 to 2011.-Early... |
Head Coach | 2nd |
| John Blake John Blake (American football) -External links:... |
Associate Head Coach / Recruiting Coordinator / Defensive Line | 2nd |
| Ken Browning | Running Backs | 15th |
| Jeff Connors | Strength and Conditioning Coordinator | 8th |
| Steve Hagen | Tight Ends | 2nd |
| John Lovett | Special Teams Coordinator / Defensive Assistant | 2nd |
| Sam Pittman | Offensive Line | 2nd |
| John Shoop John Shoop John Shoop is an American football coach who has coached in the National Football League and at the collegiate level... |
Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks | 2nd |
| Tommy Thigpen | Linebackers | 4th |
| Charlie Williams | Wide Receivers | 2nd |
| Everett Withers | Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Backs | 1st |
Roster
Wide Receiver
Offensive Lineman
H-back
Tight End
|
Quarterback
Running Back
Tailback
Fullback
Defensive tackle
Defensive End
Cornerback
|
Linebacker
Safety
Deep Snapper
Punter / Place Kicker
|
Schedule
Did not play: Clemson2009 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2009 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 2009 college football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney, who was in his first full season as head coach. The Tigers played their home games in Memorial Stadium...
, Maryland
2009 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2009 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland during its 57th season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Terrapins played in the Atlantic Division of the conference, and competed against all five divisional opponents, two Coastal Division opponents on a...
, and Wake Forest
2009 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
The 2009 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe during his ninth season at the school and played its home games at BB&T Field. Wake Forest competed in the Atlantic Coast...
.
The Citadel
North Carolina had its best rushing game under coach Butch DavisButch Davis
Paul Hilton "Butch" Davis, Jr. is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He was the head coach at the University of Miami from 1995 to 2000, the Cleveland Browns of the NFL from 2001 to 2004, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2007 to 2011.-Early...
with 260 total rushing yards (its most since 2004), and Shaun Draughn
Shaun Draughn
Shaun Draughn is an American football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He played college football at North Carolina.-Early life:...
rushing for 118 yards, his fourth 100-yard rushing game. T.J. Yates threw two touchdown passes and threw for 114 yards.
UConn
North Carolina managed to come back by scoring 12 points against Connecticut in the fourth quarter to win the game. North Carolina gained its final two points when Connecticut's senior tackle Dan Ryan was flagged for holdingPenalty (American football)
In American football and Canadian football, a penalty is a sanction called against a team for a violation of the rules, called a foul. Officials initially signal penalties by tossing a bright yellow or orange colored "penalty flag" onto the field toward or at the spot of a foul...
North Carolina's end Robert Quinn in the end zone, which gave North Carolina a safety, with 1:32 left in the fourth quarter.
ECU
Georgia Tech
Virginia
Georgia Southern
Florida State
Virginia Tech
Duke
Miami
Miami and North Carolina last met at Miami on September 27, 2008 in a game won by UNC 28-24. Miami is 5-7 all time versus UNC.Boston College
The Tar Heels defeated a Boston College team that was playing for an outside shot at a trip to the ACC Championship Game. The UNC defense stifled the Eagles offense for much of the game, holding them to 0 conversions on 13 3rd down attempts. Freshman Boston College quarterback David Shinskie threw for more yards to the Tar Heels defenders than to his own team. His four interceptions were returned for a total of 133 yards, while his twelve completions gained only 101 yards. Tar Heels DB Kendric Burney's interception return for a touchdown was his second in as many games. Cam Thomas added another defensive touchdown on a fumble return. UNC's offense had four turnovers of their own (3 T.J. Yates interceptions, 1 fumble by Erik Highsmith), and struggled to move the ball for much of the game. The UNC running attack was slowed due to a lower extremity injury to Ryan Houston who was sidelined for most of the second half. However, he did return for a 1 yard touchdown run. UNC's stout defense once again came up with big plays in the Tar Heel's fourth straight win.North Carolina State
Pittsburgh–Meineke Car Care Bowl
Rankings
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | 21 | 19 | 24 | 22 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 23 | -- | -- | -- |
| Coaches | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 25 | 24 | -- | -- | -- |
| Harris | Not released | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||
| BCS | Not released | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 24 | -- | -- | |||||||