North Carolina Football: Larry Fedora Sympathizes with Seniors Amid Sanctions

North Carolina will not play in a postseason game in 2012—a result determined in March that has nothing to do with their football skills or quality of players returning in the fall. Instead, the NCAA is implementing the postseason ban on the Tar Heels, as well as enforcing a reduction in scholarships over the next three seasons, as it wraps up a two-year investigation process.

The news comes a day after North Carolina's hoops team was upset by Florida State in the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament, but let's put a cork in any speculation that the timing is related to the basketball program. (Well, maybe it is, but who cares?)

By now, I presume you know the basic story coming out of Chapel Hill. If not, go ahead and refresh your memory by reading through the official infractions report issued by the NCAA. The CliffsNotes version goes like this:

Former assistant coach John Blake was providing players with access to impermissible benefits from pro-football agent Gary Wichard. Blake would give Wichard access to players on North Carolina's roster, accepting payments that went undocumented by the school, and those players took advantage of access to facilities most players ordinarily would not have.

Also tied up in the mix were impermissible benefits, including gifts, transportation, access to parties in clubs and more.

Needless to say, the NCAA frowns upon these kind of benefits.

The summary of the sanctions issued by the NCAA are as follows (provided by UNC):

• Public reprimand and censure
• Three years of probation from March 12, 2012, through March 11, 2015 (UNC self-imposed two years of probation)
• Three-year show-cause penalty for former assistant football coach John Blake prohibiting any recruiting activity
• Postseason ban for the 2012 football season
• Reduction of football scholarships by a total of 15 during three academic years
• Vacation of wins during the 2008 and 2009 seasons (self-imposed by the University)
• $50,000 fine (self-imposed by the University)
• Disassociation of both the former tutor and former student-athlete who served as an agent runner (self-imposed by the University)

In common English, North Carolina must publicly acknowledge its shortcomings, go under the NCAA microscope for three years, reduce its number of annual scholarships and stay out of postseason action for 2012. In addition, all wins from 2008 through 2009 will be wiped from the record books and the school will pay a fine.

How big of a deal is that, in all honesty?

Well, North Carolina takes a decent ding in terms of PR, much in the fashion Ohio State has for 2012 (serving an identical postseason ban) and USC did the past two seasons with their postseason ban. The only problem is that Ohio State and USC are football powers and should recover just fine from their NCAA sanctions.

Can the same be said about North Carolina, a football program being one that never seems to live up to its potential?

This, of course, remains to be seen.

In the meantime, new head coach Larry Fedora must tackle one of the tougher tasks he will be faced with, which is making sure the program can save face for the next year-to-three years.

In a statement released by the school, Fedora says that he was aware of the possible outcomes and sanctions when he accepted a job offer to become the next head coach, but the loss of scholarships over the next three years could prevent him from reaching his own potential with the Tar Heels:

"

I was aware of the NCAA case at the time I was named head coach. Bubba Cunningham and Holden Thorp were forthright and honest with me throughout the hiring process as I made the decision to take the job. I chose Carolina because this is one of the best schools in the country with high standards of academic and athletic excellence. In so many ways, Carolina has exceeded my expectations.

"

North Carolina returns eight seniors for starting jobs in 2012, including linebacker Kevin Reddick and 2011 All-ACC offensive guard Jonathan Cooper, among others. Fedora especially feels for those players, who will see their season—no matter how successful—go unrewarded in the end:

My only regret is for the current players, especially the seniors, who will not have the opportunity to compete for an ACC championship and go through the experience of a bowl game in 2012. We will do all we can to make every game this year a special experience for our seniors and fans.

Kevin McGuire is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report and the managing editor of Nittany Lions Den. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook and add him to your Google+ circle.