(Thumbnail Image: News & Observer)

BY JIM FLINK

Davis: “You know I expect to be the football coach here, currently, and certainly into the future.”
Anchor: “With two ongoing investigations into the football program, Butch Davis has no plans to resign as head coach of  the Tar Heels.” (WRAL)

The University of North Carolina’s football program is embroiled in controversy.  The allegations -- a rogue tutor who wrote players’ academic papers -- and former assistant Tar Heel coach John Blake’s relationships with agents.  Ultimately, in question, head coach Butch Davis’ control over his staff and his program.  The chorus of those calling for Davis to resign ramped up this week.  Davis says -- not happenin’.

We’re encapsulating the controversy with reports from WRAL-TV, Reflector.com, Yahoo!Sports, WTVD, The Raleigh News and Observer, and The Greensboro News & Record.

The Daily Reflector’s Scott Mooneyham breaks down just some of the allegations.

“An assistant football coach has a close relationship with a sports agent; the agent signs up clients who played for the coach. UNC players introduce players from other schools to runners for sports agents or marketing companies; they fly to out-of-town parties attended by agents.”

Since the NCAA launched its investigation in July, multiple Tar Heel players have been suspended.  In September, assistant coach John Blake resigned after a Yahoo! Sports investigation revealed, he was also a de facto employee of a sport agency run by friend and NFL agent Gary Wichard.   Yahoo! says it discovered several financial irregularities.

• At least six wire transfers from Wichard’s private bank ... to Blake.
• A $45,000 personal loan to Blake from The First National Bank of Long Island.
• A Pro Tect Management credit card issued in Blake’s name.

Carolina officials insist they are investigating the matters internally.  Even so, the chorus of Carolina journalists calling for Butch Davis’ resignation -- continues to grow.  

From the Greensboro-News Record: “Butch Davis, as defiant and delusional as ever, said he would not resign Thursday. That leaves the University of North Carolina only one option.  Fire him. Now.”

And from The News & Observer: “Butch Davis should resign as North Carolina’s football coach.  If that doesn’t happen – and soon – the school needs to dismiss Davis...his removal from the job is the single most necessary step in the rehabilitation process for the school and the football program.”

Finally, Raleigh’s WTVD-TV asks two questions of Davis -- what did you know -- and will you resign?

"Clearly as the head football coach, you’d like to think that you would know.  But the answer to your question is, I did not know. ... We are doing everything we can to bring a class program.  To win football games the right way. To graduate players.  And that we’re gonna do better.  Any, any, anything I can do, I am absolutely willing.”

So is it time for Butch Davis to resign?  And -- can Carolina’s true blue image -- be restored?