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North Carolina Tar Heels Football History
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North Carolina Tar Heels Football History

The North Carolina Tar Heels football program is one of the oldest and most successful in college football history. The Tar Heels have been playing football since 1888 and have won five conference championships (three Southern Conference titles and two Atlantic Coast Conference titles). They have also played in 37 bowl games, winning 15 of them.

The Tar Heels' most successful era came under the leadership of head coach Carl Snavely, who led the team from 1927 to 1956. Snavely is the winningest coach in school history, with 178 wins. He led the Tar Heels to their first conference championship in 1930 and to their first bowl game in 1946.

Some of the most notable Tar Heels players from the Snavely era include Charlie Justice, Kenan Memorial Stadium is named after him, and George McAfee. Justice was a two-time All-American and won the Heisman Trophy in 1941. McAfee was a three-time All-American and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1941 NFL Draft. He went on to win three NFL championships with the Bears.

The Tar Heels have struggled to maintain their previous level of success since Snavely's departure. The team has had 16 different head coaches since Snavely left, and has not won a conference championship since 1980.

Some of the top players in Tarheel football history are:

If you love the North Carolina Tar Heels football team then, toss on your favorite Carolina Blue gear, sit back, and enjoy a trip through their long and storied history in our collection of posts. From where the name Tar Heel came from to their best teams, players, logo history, and coaches...we have it all assembled in one place for your enjoyment.

Photo is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of the 1895 North Carolina Tar Heels football team picture.

Back row, left to right: Baird; Sharp; Trenchard; Brem; Haywood; Butler;
Second row: Stephens; Collier; White; Gregory; Hurley; Wright; Williams;
Third Row: Moore; McRae; Stanley; Whitaker; Winston; Nicklin; Steele

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Charlie Justice

Born May 18, 1924, in Asheville, North Carolina, was North Carolina Tarheels halfback of 1946 through 1949, Charlie Justice. The National Football Foundation led his Edwards High School in Asheville, North Carolina, to two unbeaten seasons. He matched North Carolina all-stars against South Carolina all-stars and scored three touchdowns in the contest! After high school, he spent four years in the Navy in World War II. Charlie was a key player on the football team at Bainbridge Naval Center; therefore, after his discharge, he was offered a pro football contract. He chose instead, at age 22, to start college. He was the starting tailback for four years in the single-wing formation coached by Carl Snavely at North Carolina. North Carolina had a 32-9-2 record while Justice was wearing the North Carolina Blue. Charlie was named All-America in 1948 and 1949 and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in both seasons! Justice set a school record for total offense that lasted for 45 years. Among his achievements: 1946--As a freshman against Virginia, Justice carried the ball 17 times and gained 170 yards. 1948--He led North Carolina to a 9-1-1 record, a national No. 3 ranking, the highest in school history. He gained 766 yards rushing and 846 passing. He returned 19 punts for an average of 17.5 yards, five kickoffs for 18 yards. His punting standard, 44.1 yards, led the nation. Justice set Heel records a lot during his four years at UNC. He scored 234 points and passed or ran for 64 touchdowns. As a ball carrier, he accumulated 2,634 yards. His total offense record of 4,883 yards lasted for 45 years until quarterback Jason Stanicek broke the mark in 1994.
Justice, graciously, was on hand to congratulate Stanicek. He was named the Most Valuable Player in the 1950 College All-Star Game, leading the college team to a 17-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. His nickname was "Choo-Choo," and a book titled "Choo Choo." The website GoHeels.com tells us that the great Benny Goodman and the late Johnny Long recorded the Campbell-Beebe song "All The Way Choo Choo." It sold by the thousands. in honor of this great athlete. Charlie Justice's collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame after his induction in 1961. Justice, after college, took his game to the pro level, where he played for the Washington Redskins from 1950-54. In his book, They Made the Bell Tower Chime, Bob Quincy succinctly summed up Charlie Justice's college career. An excerpt is repeated here:
The Justice era of 1946-49 was the most exciting in Carolina's football history. Charlie was the ringleader of a circus of thrills. He set the pace, but his backing was superb.

Episode 57 - North Carolina Tar Heels' football history - Anchor Podcast with Jay Abramson

Today, we discuss the college football history of the North Carolina Tar Heels. This program dates back to 1888 and is one of the four oldest college football programs in the South. Three stellar coaches, one ‘Choo Choo’, one stunning win in a highly anticipated game, one major upset, one major upset bid vanquished, one heartbreaking loss, one LB who revolutionized his position, the true oldest rivalry in the South, one Number 1 Ranking, one roller coaster of a season, and of course, one Ram
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