bgorman@heraldsun.com; 419-6668
CHAPEL HILL -- Ever since Charlie Weis was fired from Notre Dame on Monday, a variety of coaches have been rumored to be his replacement, including North Carolina's Butch Davis.
The Tar Heels are off this week while they await their bowl destination, and a team spokesman said Wednesday that Davis was on the recruiting trail. He said the third-year UNC coach was recruiting Tuesday, Wednesday and today and will be back in the office Friday for the team's banquet.
The spokesman said Davis still has no comment about Notre Dame, and he said athletic director Dick Baddour also has no comment.
UNC defensive lineman Marvin Austin also added to the speculation when he Tweeted about Butch Davis and Notre Dame on Wednesday afternoon. The junior, who is known as one of the team's jokesters, said, "What is this I hear about coach davis meeting with notre dame ... that's crazy. ... I woudnt take a job there if they gave me 50 million."
Also Wednesday, TCU coach Gary Patterson, who also is rumored to be in the running for the Notre Dame job, received a contract extension through 2016.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp also dismissed speculation that they could be candidates to be the next coach at Notre Dame.
