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Bunting Introduces Additions to Program

Bunting's three solutions sat to his left on Saturday, crowded behind a single table at the press room in the Smith Center.

Bunting formally introduced new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Gary Tranquill, defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta and strength coach Jeff Connors on Saturday prior to the men's basketball game against Marquette.

The three men displayed through their appearance and demeanor the type of no-nonsense approach that makes them a perfect fit for Bunting. No ties. No frills. Just stern looks and piercing determination.

"I wanted someone to smack me right in the face and say 'I'm your guy,'" said Bunting, who coached for five years at Division III Rowan College.

"That's what Tranquill did. That's what Tenuta did, and that's what Connors did."

The press conference made the hiring of Tranquill official and gave reporters the first chance to speak with Connors and Tenuta. Tranquill, who has 38 years of college and professional coaching experience, had been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Virginia for the last two seasons.

Tranquill considered following Cavaliers coach George Welsh into retirement, but he joked that he wasn't smart enough to do anything else.

"I'm not sure I can get this football out of my blood," Tranquill said. "There's still that excitement, there's still the butterflies in the belly."

Bunting had previously said he wanted to abandon four-wideout sets, but Tranquill acknowledged that he likes to use such formations. While they may differ on offensive philosophies, Bunting thought Tranquill was the right choice because he could take care of two big concerns: protecting quarterback Ronald Curry and making him comfortable in his third offense in four years.

"I don't think you can find a better teacher out there to help the Ronald Currys and quarterbacks down the road at North Carolina." Bunting said.

Tenuta finally arrived in North Carolina on Friday after accepting his job on Jan. 8. Tenuta, who spent the past six seasons at Ohio State, had served as the defensive coordinator at four other schools.

Connors comes to UNC after spending the last 10 years as the strength and conditioning coach at East Carolina. Connors said he will not be outworked by any other strength coach in the ACC, and the same will hold true for his players. He said those players have a lot of work to do, as well.

"I'm not happy with the physical status of this team right now," Connors said.

While Bunting was there to introduce three new hires, he also announced that the program would retain three assistants from last season.

Robbie Caldwell will stay on as the offensive line coach and Gunter Brewer will remain the wide receivers coach. Former defensive coordinator Ken Browning will serve as the recruiting coordinator, coach tight ends and work some with the offensive line.

Bunting only needs to hire a running backs coach to fill his staff, a process which took more time than he anticipated.

"It was long -- longer than I thought it would be, but that's OK," Bunting said. "It's now in place, and I feel really, really good about it."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.

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