UNC Football: Jack Bicknell Jr. expected to be named offensive line coach
After losing offensive line coach Stacy Searels to the Georgia Bulldogs, the UNC football program has reportedly already found his replacement.
Well, that didn’t take long!
Just a day after offensive line coach Stacy Searels left the UNC football program to take the same position at Georgia, it was reported that the Tar Heels have found their replacement.
According to Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports, Jack Bicknell Jr. is expected to become the Tar Heels’ new offensive coordinator. Bicknell Jr. will be coming from Louisville, where he served in the same position throughout the 2021 season.
SOURCE: Louisville OL coach Jack Bicknell Jr. is expected to become the new O-line coach at UNC. The former Giants/Chiefs/Steelers/Dolphins coach worked with Tar Heels OC Phil Longo at Ole Miss.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) March 1, 2022
Similar to Searels’ sudden departure from Chapel Hill, Bicknell Jr.’s may be even crazier. As the Cardinals began the spring practices on Tuesday, Bicknell Jr. was on the field helping at the team’s first official workout.
If Bicknell Jr. is en route to North Carolina, he brings along an impressive resume. The 59-year-old established himself at the NFL level, as he spent time with the New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Miami Dolphins from 2009-2015.
After his time in the NFL, Bicknell Jr. moved onto the college ranks. He took a year off in 2016 and returned to the field in 2017 when he joined the staff at Ole Miss. Before ultimately landing at Louisville, the veteran coach took a pit stop at Auburn, where he coached the offensive line for one season under Gus Malzahn.
There is a connection between Bicknell Jr. and a current coach on the UNC football staff. During his time at Ole Miss, Bicknell Jr. worked under current Tar Heels offensive coordinator Phil Longo for two seasons. This prior connection could be a major factor as to why a deal came up as quickly as it did.
North Carolina’s offensive line had its fair share of struggles in 2021, so Bicknell Jr. will certainly have his work cut out for him. One of his main objectives will be to protect the team’s quarterback (whoever that may be) as the 120 sacks allowed over the past three seasons are the second-most in the entire ACC.
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