When Butch Davis was fired by the University of North Carolina last year, then joined the Buccaneers as a special assistant to Greg Schiano, most assumed the 60-year old former Browns, Hurricane and Tar Heel coach would hang up his whistle for good.

While it is yet to be seen if another coaching opportunity ever presents itself, Davis wants another crack on the sidelines. In an interview with the AP this week Davis left the door wide open for a possible return.

"I would love to think that the things we've accomplished over 37 years, that this one particular deal will not define me as a man nor as a coach,” Davis told The Associated Press.

Davis, who is still collecting the balance of his contract at North Carolina, is hoping a review of the facts regarding the allegations that led to his abrupt departure, will clear his name, and open doors back in the coaching fraternity sometime in the near future.

“To me, past and previous experiences have an awful lot to say about what you've done," Davis said. "I would like to think that people would look at the successes and the things we did with the program at Miami. I am regretful that things got out of hand here (UNC) I wish that I would've been able to have prevented it."

The alleged NCAA violations that cost Davis his job according to the AP story included players taking jewelry from outside the program and receiving improper assistance on papers, touched Davis only by occurring on his watch. When he fired Davis, Chancellor Holden Thorp said he didn't believe Davis knew of the violations.

Dick Baddour, UNC's former athletic director who hired Davis in 2006, said he even called schools supporting Davis for jobs last fall and is willing to do it again.



"I hope Butch gets another chance," Baddour said. "I believe he will get another chance. I think he deserves another opportunity at the collegiate level."

Davis’ spoke about his role with the Buccaneers during the press conference to officially introduce him as a member of the organization earlier this year.

I have had opportunities to work for the Dallas Cowboys as a defensive coordinator and as a position coach and then I went to the Cleveland Browns so I have got ten years of experience in the National Football League,” Davis said.  “There are so many things within an organization that need attention to detail and one person cannot do it all. I think this organization is bliss because they got a good scouting staff. There are a lot of the pieces that are clearly already in place. Like I said earlier, any way that I can help both Greg (Schiano) or Mark (Dominik) that’s kind of what I want to try to do.”

At that time Davis didn’t want to comment on his future in Tampa or about future coaching opportunities, however he did have a specific goal in mind.

“I don’t have a crystal ball,” Davis said. “The one thing — you know I am committed to try and help this team win a Super Bowl as quick and as fast as possible.  Not putting any pressure on Greg (Schiano) or any of that kind of stuff because every job is a process. There are certain things that you got to accomplish as you build your team. You know as we have talked about it you never know this could be ten years who knows.”