New coach Dré Bly, a former star cornerback, remembers his UNC ‘rude boy’ days (it’s a mindset)

Posted Dec 12, 2018
When Dré Bly played at North Carolina in the late 1990s, he helped make popular the phrase “rude boy,” the name adopted by UNC’s defensive backs. Bly, who was hired to coach defensive backs at UNC this month, was an All-America cornerback. And he helped the Tar Heels become one of the most feared defenses in the country during Mack Brown’s first stint at UNC. (Charlotte Observer)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Which Young Football Tar Heels Are Standing Out?
UNC defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude was asked which true freshmen have stood out to him on defense. Almost right away, "David Jackson" emanated from his...
Wed Apr 15, 2026

UNC Football Players, Staff More Comfortable This Time Around
Bill Belichick said the UNC Football program is way ahead of this time a year ago. That goes for the players, too. "Having that camaraderie...
Tue Apr 14, 2026

Carolina Insider Podcast: Basketball Updates, Spring Football, Youssef Shamel, Jason Kosmicki
Transfer portal season means uncertainty for UNC Basketball (4:25). Spring football is underway as the Tar Heels look for big improvement (15:19). Denver Nuggets play-by-play...
Tue Apr 14, 2026

Patriots QB Drake Maye motivated by 'humbling' Super Bowl defeat
"I think that's the biggest thing about it: It's humbling. You've got to get back to work. When you're so close and within reach, you...
Mon Apr 13, 2026