Bunting says he's taken North Carolina job

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) _ John Bunting said Monday he was leaving as linebackers' coach for the New Orleans Saints to take the job as head coach at North Carolina. <br><br>Officials at North Carolina

Monday, December 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) _ John Bunting said Monday he was leaving as linebackers' coach for the New Orleans Saints to take the job as head coach at North Carolina.

Officials at North Carolina planned a 5 p.m. news conference to announce formally the hiring of a new coach to replace Carl Torbush, who was fired last month.

``Obviously, the timing of this move makes this very difficult, but to have the chance to become head coach at the University of North Carolina, where I have had great memories, is very exciting,'' Bunting said in a prepared statement released by the Saints.

``I look forward to the challenge at UNC and I will always have a special place in my heart for the Saints organization, the city and the fans.''

Bunting was hired in February by the NFL team.

``It's a big loss to us, but it's a dream job for John. We're all excited for him,'' said Saints general manager Randy Mueller.

With Bunting leaving the Saints in the middle of a playoff run, Mueller said the team will compensate by giving defensive assistant Winston Moss and defensive coordinator Ron Zook more duties. Head coach Jim Haslett will help coach the team's linebackers, Mueller said.

Bunting's contract at North Carolina was expected to be worth between $500,000 and $600,000 a year, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported.

The 50-year-old Bunting, who played at UNC from 1968 to 1971, is in the first year of a two-year contract with the Saints. He has been interviewed twice by North Carolina officials about the job. He had a two-hour visit last Monday night with Chancellor James Moeser in Chapel Hill.

Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer turned down an offer to coach the Tar Heels a week after Torbush was fired. And over the weekend, former Kansas City Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer withdrew his name from consideration.

The Tar Heels also reportedly talked with Gary Darnell of Western Michigan and Florida State offensive coordinator Mark Richt about the coaching vacancy, but Bunting had the support of many former North Carolina players.

Bunting has never been a Division I-A head coach. He was the head coach of Division III Rowan from 1987-92, leading them to the playoffs the final two years.

Bunting then left to become an assistant for the Chiefs and later St. Louis. He was the co-defensive coordinator for the Super Bowl champion Rams last season.

The Tar Heels were a top 10 program in 1996 and '97, going a combined 21-3 before Mack Brown left for Texas. Torbush was promoted from defensive coordinator one day after Georgia's Jim Donnan turned the job down.

Torbush had seasons of 7-5, 3-8 and 6-5 before being fired two days after the season. Torbush had two years left on his five-year contract.