Larry Fedora’s Press Conference: ‘The Right Fit At The Right Time’

North Carolina introduced Larry Fedora its new head football coach on Friday.

The new coach spoke to media alongside North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham and chancellor Holden Thorp.

“I am honored and privileged to be the head football coach at the University of North Carolina. Let me say that again, I am honored and privileged to be the head football coach at the University of North Carolina. I’ve got to say that over and over again so that it’ll sink in.”

Thorp felt as though Fedora was a great fit for the university, which is looking to move past the allegations and investigations of the Butch Davis era.

“Larry Fedora is going to be a great fit for North Carolina. When I met with him it was clear that he understands that we are committed to being competitive in football and to building a program that exemplifies Carolina’s values.”

Fedora said that he was undaunted to be the person coming in to clean up the house, so to speak.

“To be honest with you, it didn’t scare me. I’ve got a saying that adversity, it’s going to happen and it brings out the best in all of us. But when it does, you look it in the eye, you grab it by the throat and you choke it. ... That’s what we’re going to do with whatever adversity comes up, now or in the future.”

Fedora will receive annual retention bonuses ranging from $100,000 to $350,000 beginning in 2015, as well as a one-time payment of $400,000 in the first year and an annual expense allowance of $30,000.

Before taking over at UNC, Fedora will guide Southern Miss in the Hawaii Bowl against Nevada on December 24.

Fedora’s first team at Southern Miss broke 36 school records. He had previously been an assistant on the collegiate level at Oklahoma State, Florida, Middle Tennessee, Air Force and Baylor.

North Carolina finished 7-5 this season under interim coach Everett Withers, who will lead the Tar Heels in the Independence Bowl against Missouri on December 26.