Rumors are 'totally unfounded'

You may have heard the rumor about Gary Merrill returning to Northern Durham as an assistant coach, possibly the defensive coordinator.

If you did. Forget it. It's not true.

"There has been no dialog between us about Gary coming back to Northern," Northern Durham athletic director Walt Hensler told WRAL Thursday morning.

In fact, Hensler said he had not spoken with Merrill since late March, well before he announced his retirement from Person.

Merrill resigned from Person about two weeks ago, citing retirement as his reason. The veteran head coach became known as one of North Carolina's best at Northern Durham.

Paul Rodio will not return next season as the Knights' head football coach, and former Millbrook assistant coach Anthony Sullivan will take over.

"That is very interesting," Sullivan told WRAL late Wednesday night, "However, there has been no communication between Coach Merrill and myself, or anyone else at the school with hiring ability for that matter."

"Hopefully that will put any rumors to rest," Hensler added.

I sent Coach Merrill an e-mail last night, but we are still waiting to hear back from him. Bottom line, he's retiring, and any rumors you may have heard over the last few days are, in the words of Hensler, "Totally unfounded."