This summer, Tar Heel Blog will profile the top 25 players in the history of the North Carolina football program. The rankings were determined by votes from readers and staff.
A year after winning the ACC with a 9-2 record in 1963, Carolina’s record dropped to 5-5. Two subsequent seasons below .500 led to the departure of Jim Hickey. Bill Dooley was serving as an assistant coach to his brother Vince with the University of Georgia when Carolina called. The Bulldogs were fresh off a SEC title and a Cotton Bowl victory, and Dooley was tasked with rebuilding the Tar Heels.