AS with many things, even this story has ties that lead the astute to mull on UNC's failings and near misses. This article does not detail it, but it UNC alum and future HC Jim Tatum who was the architect of the OU rise. OU hired him to do just that: make OU at least equal to Texas and anybody else within a day's drive. Tatum only stayed 1 season and retuned to Maryland (where he would win a National Championship in the AACC's 1st season), but he chose his top assistant Bud Wilkinson to stay as HC, with a plan detailed by Tatum on how to make OU National Champ.
In this article, Gundy reminds that when he committed to play for OU, Switzer's OC was Jim Donnan. Donna had grown up in NC and played for the Wufs, and then his most important coaching mentor became Bill Dooley. He was UGA HC when Mack left for Texas, and Donnan was very interested in the UNC job. He wanted to take over and complete what his mentor Bill Dooley had done. But the basketball-loving Dick Baddour wanted no part of Donnan. Those in UNC athletics who backed Baddour did not want an protege of Dooley or any guy with strong SEC experience coaching UNC football.
In this article, Gundy reminds that when he committed to play for OU, Switzer's OC was Jim Donnan. Donna had grown up in NC and played for the Wufs, and then his most important coaching mentor became Bill Dooley. He was UGA HC when Mack left for Texas, and Donnan was very interested in the UNC job. He wanted to take over and complete what his mentor Bill Dooley had done. But the basketball-loving Dick Baddour wanted no part of Donnan. Those in UNC athletics who backed Baddour did not want an protege of Dooley or any guy with strong SEC experience coaching UNC football.
