Carl Torbush, who rose to prominence as the defensive coordinator for the UNC football team in the late 1990s and served as the program’s head coach for three seasons, died Monday at age 72. East Tennessee State, where Torbush coached from 2015 to 2017, announced the news Monday morning.

“We lost a great man too soon,” said UNC head coach Mack Brown, who coached with Torbush during his first stint in Chapel Hill. “Coach Torbush touched so many lives in a positive way. He loved the game of football, especially defense. He was the architect of one of college football’s greatest defenses during the ‘96 and ‘97 seasons here at Carolina.”

Torbush came to Chapel Hill with Brown in 1988 to serve as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Torbush’s defenses in Chapel Hill were some of the best in school history, producing stars such as Dre’ Bly, Vonnie Holliday, Greg Ellis and Brian Simmons. In the 1996 and 1997 seasons, the Tar Heels never gave up more than 20 points in any single game. UNC posted a 21-3 record across those 24 games.

The last of those games, the 1997 Gator Bowl against Virginia Tech, was Torbush’s first as UNC head coach. Brown had accepted the head coaching job at Texas after the conclusion of the regular season, and Torbush was elevated to interim head coach for the game. Carolina won 42-3, and Torbush would eventually be named the full-time head coach for the 1998 season. He would stay in Chapel Hill until the end of the 2000 season.

“It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Carl Torbush,” the UNC program said in a statement on Monday. “Coach Torbush was a great man and a heck of a football coach. The Carolina Football Family sends its condolences to Coach’s loved ones during this difficult time.”

 

Featured image via Allsport

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Football 2025 Spring Transfer Portal Window Tracker: Arrivals
The spring window of the college football transfer portal opened Wednesday, April 16 and closed Friday, April 25. Players who intend to transfer must enter their names into the portal before the window closes, but do not need to have selected their next school by then. Here is a summary of which players have committed […]
Chansky's Notebook: Between the Lines
Bill Belichick's hiring at UNC has set off a social media spark that could be turning into a dumpster fire.
'False Narrative': Read UNC Head Coach Bill Belichick's Statement on CBS Interview
Following the airing of an interview on the show ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ this past weekend, UNC football head coach Bill Belichick has issued a statement on what he calls “a false narrative” suggested through the piece. The interview with CBS’ Tony Dokoupil, which was mostly to promote Belichick’s new book, “The Art of Winning,” touches […]
Chansky's Notebook: Personal Privacy
Bill Belichick's private life is very public-facing right now, due in large part to his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
Which Tar Heels are Going Where in the NFL? Check Out Our Full List.
Check out the full list of which UNC players are headed to the pros! NFL draftees, as well as undrafted free agents who sign contracts with pro teams, will be added to this list. RB Omarion Hampton – Los Angeles Chargers (R1, No. 22 overall) The Los Angeles Chargers made Hampton the first Tar Heel […]
Chansky's Notebook: Quiet Runner
UNC's Omarion Hampton is going to Los Angeles to play for the Chargers under run-oriented head coach Jim Harbaugh.
UNC RB Omarion Hampton Selected by Los Angeles Chargers in NFL Draft
One of the best running backs in UNC history is league-bound. Omarion Hampton was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the No. 22 overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft Thursday night. He is the first Tar Heel selected in this year’s draft. let’s cook, O pic.twitter.com/rB5pcczCgb — Los Angeles […]
UNC Football 2025 Spring Transfer Portal Window Tracker: Departures
The spring window of the college football transfer portal opened Wednesday, April 16 and will close Friday, April 25. Players who intend to transfer must enter their names into the portal before the window closes, but do not need to have selected their next school by then. Here is a summary of which UNC players […]
'A Very Unique Opportunity': Read Bill Belichick's Comments on UNC Football's Trip to Ireland
The UNC football program formally announced its participation in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland Wednesday at the Kenan Football Center. Representing UNC at the event were chancellor Lee Roberts, athletic director Bubba Cunningham and head football coach Bill Belichick. They were joined by dignitaries from both the Republic of Ireland […]
UNC Football to Face TCU in Ireland in 2026 Season Opener
Carolina Football is going international. The Tar Heels will face TCU in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland to open the 2026 regular season. The game is scheduled for August 29, 2026 in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. Pack your Passports! The Tar Heels are coming to the Emerald Isle in 2026! pic.twitter.com/ZPoEutfCaE — […]
›