The program took a step toward possible prominence by hiring former Miami Hurricanes football head coach Butch Davis for the 2007 season, and making the pledge that they would fund the football program to the same extent that their dominant Men's and Women's basketball teams are funded. On February 7, 2007, Butch Davis and staff inked one of the top recruiting classes in North Carolina football history, earning national recognition from the recruiting industry's most influential websites, including Scout.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com. This class includes some of the nation's most highly sought after recruits including Marvin Austin, Greg Little, Dwight Jones, Mike Paulus and Tydreke Powell. North Carolina started the Butch Davis era out with a 37 - 14 win on September 1, 2007 over James Madison University.