If the UNC football team is trying to recapture the magic of the 2015 season, hiring back some familiar faces may be a good way to start.

The program announced Saturday it would be bringing back Gene Chizik to the defensive coaching staff, as the Assistant Head Coach for Defense. Chizik served as defensive coordinator under head coach Larry Fedora at Carolina in 2015 and 2016, during which time the Tar Heels went 19-5 in the regular season and appeared in the 2015 ACC Championship Game.

In addition, UNC announced it would be hiring Charlton Warren as Co-Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach. Warren was part of Chizik’s staff during his tenure in Chapel Hill.

“We’re excited to welcome Gene, his wife Jonna, and their three children, Landry Grace, Kennedy Danielle and Cally, back to the Carolina football family,” head coach Mack Brown said. “Gene is one of college football’s great defensive minds and we’re excited that he’s returning to lead our unit.”

Added Brown, “We’re also thrilled to welcome Charlton and his three children, Jayree, Teya, and Chase, back to the Carolina football family. Charlton has a wealth of experience at a number of the top programs around the country, has recruited at a high level, and with his previous experience in Chapel Hill and working with Gene, I expect him to be a great fit with our staff.”

The additions of Chizik and Warren come barely 24 hours after it was announced previous defensive coordinator Jay Bateman would be leaving the program, as well as special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach Jovan Dewitt. In 2021, the UNC defense gave up 32.1 points per game, which ranked 105th out of 130 teams in FBS college football.

Chizik’s return to Carolina is similar to his first stint, as in 2015 he took over a defense which also struggled mightily the year before. Under Chizik, the 2015 UNC defense improved its points per game totals from 39 in 2014 to 24.5 and ranked as the most improved Power 5 defense in the country.

“Having coached here previously, I know this is a special place,” Chizik said. “And I’m excited to help the program take the next step towards competing for and winning championships.”

Winning championships is certainly something Chizik has experience with, having coached Heisman trophy winner Cam Newton and the 2010 Auburn Tigers to the BCS title. He also served as defensive coordinator under Brown at Texas when the Longhorns won the national title in 2005.

Warren returns to Carolina after having served in similar roles with Indiana, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. With Warren on staff, the 2020 Georgia defense ranked 12th in the nation in total yardage allowed, and first in the SEC.

“My family and I couldn’t be more excited to be returning to Chapel Hill,” he said. “I obviously followed the Tar Heels since leaving, and you can see that the program is on the cusp of something special. They’ve recruited extremely well, and have a roster of talented players I’m really looking forward to working with.”

Chizik and Warren will join Tommy Thigpen, Dre Bly and Tim Cross on the UNC defensive coaching staff. The Tar Heels bring in one of the top recruiting classes in the country for the staff to work with, including five-defensive line prospect Travis Shaw.

 

Featured image via Smith Cameron Photography

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