I’m getting deluged with calls, texts and emails. What the heck is going on with my two favorite teams in college football? Of course they’re talking about the deluge of criticism taking place at LSU and the University of North Carolina. I have followed both of these college teams for years, but cannot remember so much well-earned criticism.
First come the Tar Heels. I love my alma mater at Chapel Hill. I had the privilege of having an athletic scholarship (basketball and track) at a school that is, year in and year out, ranked as one of the top public universities in the nation. While at Carolina, I received a great education, competed in track meets all over the world, and dated a number of really pretty coeds. I couldn’t ask for more. But Carolina is a basketball school. Sure, I attended football games. I went with my fellow fraternity brothers just for fun. But you never expected a winner there.
I did have high hopes when Mac Brown took over as football coach. He had spent time coaching at LSU and Tulane, and we became good friends when I was Louisiana Secretary of State. Coach Brown called me when he applied for the North Carolina job and asked me to contact basketball Coach Dean Smith, who ruled the roost and called the shots for all Athletics at Carolina. Coach Brown had a number of winning seasons, but never was in contention for a national championship.
