Former UNC HC Butch Davis Reportedly Set to Take Same Position at FIU

Butch Davis is reportedly back in the coaching game, as the former Miami, North Carolina and Cleveland Browns coach will be joining FIU as the school's head coach.

Patrik Nohe of the Miami Herald has the reported scoop:

"

I can confirm that the next head coach of FIU will be Butch Davis. Just spoke with someone with knowledge of situation. Coley-watch is over.

— Patrik Nohe/M_Herald (@PatrikNohe_MH) December 24, 2012"

UPDATE: Monday, December 24 at 3:55 p.m. ET by Timothy Rapp

According to David J. Neal of the Miami Herald, FIU is disputing the reports that Davis is set to take over as the head coach:

"

FIU executive director of sports and entertainment Pete Garcia said Monday afternoon when asked about the stories bouncing around the Internet that Butch Davis was in as FIU's next head football coach, "Butch Davis is not the FIU football coach. That story is totally false."

So, that's the official word from Camp Mitch for now. Still, I'd say expect an announcement Jan. 2-6.

"

And Bruce Feldman of CBS is reporting that an FIU source was not familiar with the reported hiring of Davis

"

Heard from an FIU source who said (Herald) report of Butch Davis taking FIU job was "news to me"..some skepticism on it.

— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) December 24, 2012"

Stay tuned.

---End of Update---

Davis last coached for North Carolina two seasons ago and was fired just 38 days before the 2011 regular season began, shocking the college football world given the timing.

While he went 28-23 for North Carolina, his four years in Chapel Hill were marked by scandal and NCAA sanctions. In 2010 alone, 13 players were suspended from the team due to an academic scandal.

While uncommon for a head coach to be dismissed so close to the start of a season, Davis' ouster was hardly surprising. It was just the timing that took folks off guard.

Davis is most well-known for his time with the Miami Hurricanes, where he went 51-20 and paved the way for the 2001 championship team under Larry Coker, and with the Cleveland Browns, where he was a dismal 24-35.

He did lead the Browns to the playoffs in 2002, however, finishing 9-7 on the season.

Florida International was 3-9 this past season after consecutive winning seasons and trips to bowl games. Davis should be a major upgrade for the university at the coaching position and, should Davis avoid sanctions this time around, help to turn around the small program.