"I sort of overreacted," said Mastromatteo, who decommitted a couple of days after Davis was fired. "I was hearing a lot of things, and I needed to relax. I weighed my options and realized that North Carolina was best for me.
"The other coaches stayed. The program is on the rise. I still love the school. . . . The academics are great. . . . I always wanted to play in the NFL, and I see myself getting into coaching."
Earlier this month, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior linebacker-fullback recommitted to North Carolina a little wiser and more self-assured.
North Carolina assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Allen "Mo" Moridge, who is not permitted to discuss unsigned recruits, had to be pleased. Moridge and linebackers coach Art Kauffman had gone to Holy Spirit to see Mastromatteo practice.
High school football players may not sign binding letters of intent until February.
Holy Spirit coach Charles Roman sees Mastromatteo's size, range, and nonstop action as assets coveted by college coaches. The fourth-year head coach empathizes with Mastromatteo and others who are abandoned by the man responsible for recruiting them.
"It's scary for anybody, let alone an 18-year-old," Roman said about deciding to stay or leave after the head coach goes. "It's an uncomfortable feeling."
Roman knows. Last year, his best linebacker, Anthony Sarao, committed to Stanford, decommitted after coach Jim Harbaugh left for the San Francisco 49ers, then committed to Southern California.
(St. Joseph's Prep quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg, son of Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, also had committed to Stanford. He decommitted when Harbaugh left and last month committed to Penn State.)
Mastromatteo called Sarao and received some advice.
"Anthony told me to look out for myself and do what's best for me," Mastromatteo said.
Contact staff writer Bill Iezzi at 856-685-3299 or biezzi@phillynews.com.
