The North Carolina Tar Heels and head coach Mack Brown are making changes on the defensive side of the ball by firing the assistant head coach for defense Gene Chizik as well as defensive line coach Tim Cross.
Cross will be replaced by senior defensive analyst Ted Monachino. An article from the North Carolina website shows Brown explaining why he made the decision he made, while paying respect to Chizik as a coach.
“Gene Chizik is one of the best football coaches I’ve shared the sideline with during my 46 years of coaching,” Brown said. “He’s a man of faith who worked tirelessly to provide the best coaching and mentorship he could to the young men he coached. We met extensively following the season, and despite the improvements from last season to this season, we mutually agreed that parting ways would be in the best interest of both he and the program. I want to thank Gene and his family for all they’ve done for our program and wish them nothing but the best.”
In the same article, Chizik explains why he was grateful for the opportunity to coach under someone like Brown.
“Being a part of 36 wins and two ACC Coastal Championships during my four years at UNC has truly been a blessing,” Chizik stated. “Mack Brown and I will continue to be the closest of friends and I want to wish all of the coaches, players and administration the best moving forward. I love these young men at UNC and will always be grateful that our paths crossed.”
Co-defensive coordinator Charlton Warren will take Chizik’s sport as the assistant head coach for defense, and the Tar Heels will be searching for a new defensive coordinator for the 2024 season.
The North Carolina Tar Heels defense was among the worst in the country
The North Carolina defense ranked 98th in the country in yards per game as they allowed over 400 yards per matchup. The former defensive line coach did not have the Tar Heels stopping the run as their 163.2 rushing yards allowed per game was 93rd in the country.
North Carolina started off 6-0, but ended the season at 8-5. In those final five losses, Chizik and the defense allowed over 30 points every game. They’re season average was 27.3, which was 75th in the nation. They allowed 40+ points twice this season, including their instant classic against the Duke Blue Devils in which questionable calls allowed them to escape with a victory.
In two of North Carolina’s losses this season, they had a 300-yard passer in quarterback Drake Maye, and a 100-yard rusher in running back Omarion Hampton. If the defense could’ve held opponents to under 20 points in the final stretch of the season, North Carolina would have been undefeated heading into bowl season.
North Carolina fans are rejoicing at the idea of a new defensive coordinator
After having a once in a lifetime QB prospect in Drake Maye, the fans of North Carolina are eager to see what the team could be with a formidable defense. Maye will be entering the draft in 2024, but head coach Mack Brown has a proven track record of recruiting and developing QBs.
North Carolina fans watched Maye and company put up 42 points against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and still manage to lose. A defensive coach will be welcomed by the Tar Heel faithful.
North Carolina fans after hearing the news of Gene Chizik’s dismissal. #CarolinaFootball pic.twitter.com/Xtpi24dDn6
— False Start: A CFB Podcast (@CFBFalseStart) January 3, 2024
THERE IS A GOD!
Gene Chizik won’t return as North Carolina defensive coordinator – via @ESPN App https://t.co/H9q7KLU4yz
— Dr. Chuck (@_TheChuck_) January 3, 2024
GENE CHIZIK IS GONE
WE ARE FREE
JOYOUS DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN
— Katie Stats (@kpondiscio) January 3, 2024
The utterly unsurprising and extremely expected end of the second Gene Chizik Era on defense. https://t.co/fRPkTfqp40
— Luke DeCock (@LukeDeCock) January 3, 2024
Many North Carolina fans are lamenting the wasting of a prospect like Maye, and point to their problems as a result of a culture issue stemming from Brown. Brown’s moving on from Chizik will likely be his last stand at North Carolina.
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