UNC Football Announces Coaching Staff Changes Following 2023 Season

It was just a matter of time really before the UNC Football program announced some coaching staff changes following a disappointing 2023 season that began with such high expectations and started off 6-0. However, stumbling to the finish line once again to finish 8-5 with a 30-10 Duke's Mayo Bowl game loss to West Virginia seemed to be the final straw for Mack Brown, as changes have finally been announced.

Defensive Coordinator Gene Chizik and the UNC Football program have mutually agreed to part ways. Along with the struggles associated with the defense, the line of scrimmage seemed to be a problem after the first game of the season, in which the Tar Heels recorded nine sacks against South Carolina and Spencer Rattler. However, after that game, they finished with just 28 sacks on the season, recording 19 over the final 12 games.

As a result of the struggles along the defensive front, defensive line coach Tim Cross will not be returning to the program in 2024. Senior Defensive Analyst Ted Monachino will take over those duties moving forward as the UNC Football program begins a national search to find the next defensive coordinator.

While it may come as a surprise to some UNC Football fans that the Tar Heels waited as long as they did to make a change after the end of the season, one key factor is the transfer portal. The portal closed on January 2nd at midnight, and most programs do not want to make staff changes while the portal is open as it becomes harder to secure talent when there is an unknown coaching staff situation publicly. As a result, North Carolina waited until the portal closed to make these changes.

It has been no secret the defense has been a problem for the Tar Heels throughout Mack Brown's tenure, and finding a reliable defensive coordinator this time will be crucial in the direction the UNC Football program will head next. Who would you like to see in Chapel Hill?

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