Coaching Career
In his first season, Bunting led the Tar Heels to an 8-5 record and a victory over Auburn in the 2001 Peach Bowl. However, his teams since were highly inconsistent. Bunting compiled an overall record of 27 wins and 45 losses over six seasons. Bunting does own UNC's only two wins over a team ranked in the top 10 of a major media poll in school history. In 2001, the Tar Heels beat Florida State 41-9; the Seminoles were ranked sixth in the AP Poll at the time. In 2004, the Tar Heels defeated Miami 31-28 on a last-second field goal by Connor Barth; the Hurricanes were ranked fourth at the time in the AP poll. On the other end of the spectrum, his 2005 team was routed 69-14 by Louisville, one of the worst losses in modern Tar Heel history.
During his final season (2006), his team had a record of 3-9, while averaging over 23 fewer points per game than their opponents.
Bunting was fired by UNC Athletic Director Dick Baddour on October 22, 2006. He was allowed to finish out the 2006 season. His last home victory on November 18, 2006, against North Carolina State University, broke a seven-game losing streak, and he was able to close out his career one week later with a 45-44 win over the Duke Blue Devils.
Since his split with North Carolina, Bunting has been working as a commentator and announcer for college football.
Read more about this topic: John Bunting (American Football)
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