Just over two weeks after UNC saw defensive line coach Tray Scott leave to take the same job at Ole Miss, the Tar Heels will lose another member of their defensive staff to the SEC.

Defensive backs coach Charlton Warren–who, like Scott, came to UNC prior to 2015 along with coordinator Gene Chizik–is headed to Knoxville to take over the secondary at Tennessee.

Before coming to Chapel Hill, Warren coached the defensive backs at Nebraska for one season after spending nine years on the staff at Air Force–his alma mater.

In his first year at UNC, the Tar Heels went 11-3 and boasted the most improved defense in the nation.

Warren’s secondary–a group led by cornerbacks Des Lawrence and MJ Stewart–was a big reason why. UNC led the ACC in interceptions and passes defended in 2015, on the way to the school’s first and only berth in the ACC Championship Game.

Although the Tar Heels struggled to produce interceptions at the same rate in 2016, the team still finished 12th nationally in passing yards allowed per game (180.8).

Both Lawrence and Stewart also earned All-ACC honors during their time playing for Warren, forming the heart and soul of a group that calls themselves the “Rude Boyz.”

His sudden departure now leaves the Tar Heels with a pair of staff openings on defense–meaning head coach Larry Fedora will have to work with Chizik to try and get things smoothed out before spring practice begins in a couple months.

While many fans will rightly worry about so much of UNC’s offensive talent leaving heading into next year, filling the defensive staff with quality replacements could prove to be just as important.

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