DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina coach Butch Davis said an NCAA probe into potential rule violations in his football program came "out of left field."

In his first public comments on the investigation, Davis said Thursday the school is cooperating with the NCAA and that his program follows its rules.

A person familiar with the investigation says the NCAA is looking into whether two seniors received improper benefits from agents. Defensive tackle Marvin Austin and receiver Greg Little are the focus of the probe, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is confidential.

Davis refused to answer specific questions about the case, saying that the NCAA instructed the school to limit its public comments.

"It certainly kind of came out of left field," Davis said after a luncheon featuring area coaches. "I don't think anybody speculated any of this stuff was going to potentially happen. But it is what it is. ... Our players were unbelievably cooperative and we'll get through this as quickly as possible."

The probe became public about a week ago after NCAA investigators visited the campus in Chapel Hill. It has been part of a series of similar investigations at defending national champion Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.

"I know we take a great deal of pride in doing things ethically, honestly," Davis said. "I know the feedback that we've gotten is we're doing everything we can to educate our young people about all kinds of things that have to do with collegiate athletics."