Butch Davis, his players and anyone else associated with the North Carolina football program hope history is not set to repeat itself.
Because if it does, it could be yet another long season for the Tar Heels.
ICONQuinton Coples is the best defender on Butch Davis' North Carolina squad.
After beginning last season without 13 players for its opener against LSU due to an ongoing NCAA investigation surrounding agent benefits and allegations of academic misconduct, an NCAA investigator interviewed stud defensive end Quinton Coples this week about his participation in a Washington, D.C., post-draft party earlier this month -- an event attended by former Tar Heels Marvin Austin and Robert Quinn, according to a report by ESPN.com's Joe Schad.
Questions about Coples' attendance reportedly arose when pictures of the lineman with Austin and Quinn appeared on Facebook and EliteDCMag.com. Also pictured with the players is an alleged runner the NCAA has already investigated.
The 6-6, 245-pound Coples, who registered 15.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a junior last season, is arguably the best defensive lineman in the country and a potential Top-5 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Austin, of course, missed the entire 2010 season after being dismissed by the team for violating NCAA rules. The NCAA also ruled Quinn and receiver Greg Little permanently ineligible.
The NCAA is interested in how Coples paid for his travel, who paid for his hotel and entry into the event and if he took any free beverages or food.
While it's too early to speculate, losing Coples to any sort of suspension would be a big blow to a UNC team that is expected to field a fierce defense despite losing high-quality talent to this past April's NFL Draft.
Email dave.miller@nationalfootballpost.com or follow me on Twitter at Miller_Dave