Bunting has security of contract extension at North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) Of all the images from last season at North Carolina, the most memorable probably didn&#39;t come from the celebration after the upset of Miami or in the aftermath of the Tar Heels&#39; victory over Duke.<br> <br> No, perhaps the lasting picture was of coach John Bunting after the Tar Heels&#39; 34-0 home loss to Louisville. At the time, his job security was in question. The loss moved North Carolina&#39;s record to 7-21 since the start of the 2002 season, and the rout by the Cardinals in front of the Kenan Stadium faithful certainly didn&#39;t help.<br> <br> Yet Bunting did what he always does following a game, home or away. The 1972 North Carolina graduate walked across the field to face the band as it played the school song, placing his cap over his chest. Bunting stood there alone for the entire song, while his players and the other coaches slowly meandered back to the locker room.<br> <br> In spite of everything, he still loved his alma mater.<br> <br> ``Coach Bunting does love North Carolina and he lets us know every day that we should, too,&#39;&#39; linebacker Tommy Richardson said. ``He tells us this is our time, to make the most of it. It&#39;s hard not to appreciate what this school means to him.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Tar Heels went on to finish 6-6, tied for third in the Atlantic Coast Conference, their best result in three years. To complete the resurgence, they accepted a bid in the Continental Tire Bowl in Charlotte, where Tar Heel fans filled 65,000-seat Bank of America Stadium.<br> <br> North Carolina chancellor James Moeser and athletic director Dick Baddour responded with the ultimate show of support, a two-year contract extension that gives Bunting five more years in Chapel Hill.<br> <br> ``We were all pretty excited when we heard that,&#39;&#39; said defensive tackle Chase Page, who missed last season with a torn tendon in his left pinkie finger. ``People are always going to be saying things negative about you when things are bad, but I think he proved last year what a great coach he is.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The task for Bunting, his staff and his players is to build on the improvement of 2004. It won&#39;t be easy.<br> <br> At one point a year ago, North Carolina had the toughest schedule in the country, according to the computer rankings of Jeff Sagarin, one of the components of the Bowl Championship Series standings.<br> <br> This year&#39;s schedule is likely to be more difficult. Besides an ACC schedule that includes trips to Miami and Virginia Tech, the Tar Heels have nonconference dates with Louisville, Wisconsin and Utah.<br> <br> ``It&#39;s too late to turn around and run now,&#39;&#39; said tailback Barrington Edwards, a transfer from LSU. ``We&#39;re ready to roll.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Part of Bunting&#39;s first meeting with his team before the start of preseason workouts included a look at this year&#39;s opponents. His message? Don&#39;t worry about it now.<br> <br> ``I showed them the schedule one last time,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I told them, &#39;It&#39;s motivated me and it&#39;s motivated you. But we&#39;ve got to have one game in mind right now, and that&#39;s Georgia Tech.&#39;&#39;&#39;<br> <br> To get ready for that game and the 10 that follow, Bunting must break in a new quarterback. Darian Durant, who completed his career by setting dozens of school records, is gone, leaving Matt Baker in his place.<br> <br> Baker got limited playing time as Durant&#39;s backup in 2004, completing 64 percent of his passes for 326 yards and one touchdown.<br> <br> ``The fact that he has less experience than the previous guy, Darian Durant, there&#39;s no way to explain what that means,&#39;&#39; Bunting said. ``But the routes aren&#39;t going to change, and Matt can put the same zip on the ball. It&#39;s just going to take time.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Having Edwards in the backfield should help. With Ronnie McGill out several more weeks while recovering from a torn pectoral muscle on the left side of his chest, Edwards probably will find himself at the top of the depth chart for the opener.<br> <br> He got a ring for winning a piece of the national championship while at LSU, but wanted to complete his career on a team where he could be a star. Edwards hopes he found that place at North Carolina, and he doesn&#39;t lack confidence.<br> <br> ``I&#39;m ready to take over and show what I can do,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I finally got my shot and I&#39;m going to help the team.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)