7. Larry Fedora, North Carolina

2012 Record: 8-4
Grade: B+

What Went Right: Similar to Ohio State’s Urban Meyer and Penn State's Bill O'Brien, Fedora deserves credit for keeping North Carolina motivated with nothing to play for. The Tar Heels were banned from postseason play but tied for first place in the Coastal Division and snapped a five-game losing streak to rival NC State.

What Went Wrong: Finishing 8-4 in a year with no postseason possibility doesn’t leave much room for criticism. However, North Carolina lost three games by four points or less, so there’s some room to improve in close contests. Obviously, that’s being very nitpicky for a team that could win the Coastal Division in 2013. However, the division will be a tight race next year, so there’s little margin for error.

www.athlonsports.com/college-f...ar-coaches-2012

That sounds about right.

I disagree with “nothing to play for” comment. At some point a team has to play for, if nothing else the pride of; team, fans, University, self. There is always a reason to compete to win, with or without the “Zesty Cheetoes/Nabisco Nana Wafers Bowl Game”.

All in all, I like LF. I think he is a heck of a motivator. With a change in leadership on Coaches D side of the ball, I am expecting a better showing in ’13.

GO HEELS!

"Nothing to play for" is sportswriter talk. Just about anyone who plays in college goes game into game to try and best whomever they are up against. Sure, teams quit on occasion, but generally, the competitive instinct kicks in and they go all out. Not to mention if you have pro aspirations, you aren't going to let missing out on a bowl game stop you from showing what you can do on the field.

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--- KANNON wrote:

I disagree with “nothing to play for” comment. At some point a team has to play for, if nothing else the pride of; team, fans, University, self. There is always a reason to compete to win, with or without the “Zesty Cheetoes/Nabisco Nana Wafers Bowl Game”.

All in all, I like LF. I think he is a heck of a motivator. With a change in leadership on Coaches D side of the ball, I am expecting a better showing in ’13.

GO HEELS!

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Given it was his first season, a B+ is a fair assessment. Given we were favored in 11 games; didn't play FSU or CU; and lost to Wake and Dook, B may be more in order. If it were any other season besides his first year, 8-4 against this schedule would have been disappointing and a C grade at best.

I wish Fedora would have let Vic lead the D. Last season could have been a special year like Sumlin and A&M giving us much needed media attention which could really propel recruiting to an even higher level.