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By Gerry Fraley / Reporter
If Delvon Simmons, a highly recruited defensive tackle, has an illustrious collegiate career at North Carolina, Tar Heels coach Butch Davis will owe a debt to his former employer: the Dallas Cowboys.
Davis was on the Cowboys' defensive staff from 1989-94, serving as coordinator in his final two seasons. Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett was a backup quarterback for the last two years of Davis' stay.
Davis is now at UNC. In January, he hired former Carolina Panthers defensive-line coach Brian Baker for the same job. Baker said the move was in keeping with his goal of becoming a college head coach.
Baker's first duty with the Tar Heels was to help recruit Simmons, from McKeesport, Pa. The selling point was Baker had developed numerous defensive linemen during his 15 years in the NFL and could show Simmons the way as his position coach.
The sales pitch worked. Simmons signed with the Tar Heels in what was considered a surprise by recruiting devotees.
While Baker was wooing Simmons, he was also in negotiations for a quick return to the NFL with the Cowboys. The club waited until after signing day to announce Baker's departure from UNC to join Garrett's staff.
Baker said Thursday he made the move because of the large pay increase and the chance to be with a prominent and promising club. Both are acceptable reasons for the move. Nothing underhanded.
Simmons does not have the same options. He is the victim of a bait-and-switch: signing with UNC because of Baker but never getting a chance to work with him. There have been no comments from Simmons about Baker's move to the Cowboys after signing day and whether and earlier announcement would have affected his thinking.
If Delvon Simmons, a highly recruited defensive tackle, has an illustrious collegiate career at North Carolina, Tar Heels coach Butch Davis will owe a debt to his former employer: the Dallas Cowboys.
Davis was on the Cowboys' defensive staff from 1989-94, serving as coordinator in his final two seasons. Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett was a backup quarterback for the last two years of Davis' stay.
Davis is now at UNC. In January, he hired former Carolina Panthers defensive-line coach Brian Baker for the same job. Baker said the move was in keeping with his goal of becoming a college head coach.
Baker's first duty with the Tar Heels was to help recruit Simmons, from McKeesport, Pa. The selling point was Baker had developed numerous defensive linemen during his 15 years in the NFL and could show Simmons the way as his position coach.
The sales pitch worked. Simmons signed with the Tar Heels in what was considered a surprise by recruiting devotees.
While Baker was wooing Simmons, he was also in negotiations for a quick return to the NFL with the Cowboys. The club waited until after signing day to announce Baker's departure from UNC to join Garrett's staff.
Baker said Thursday he made the move because of the large pay increase and the chance to be with a prominent and promising club. Both are acceptable reasons for the move. Nothing underhanded.
Simmons does not have the same options. He is the victim of a bait-and-switch: signing with UNC because of Baker but never getting a chance to work with him. There have been no comments from Simmons about Baker's move to the Cowboys after signing day and whether and earlier announcement would have affected his thinking.