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North Carolina hires former Auburn coach Gene Chizik as defensive coordinator
After two seasons away from coaching, Gene Chizik will return to the sideline in 2015.
Chizik, the former Auburn head coach who led the Tigers to the 2011 BCS National Championship, has been hired as defensive coordinator at North Carolina. UNC head coach Larry Fedora announced the move on Monday.
“Throughout the hiring process, I worked closely with athletic director Bubba Cunningham to invest in someone who believes in the mission of the University and shares our vision of providing an outstanding experience to the student-athletes,” said Fedora. “Gene Chizik believes in competing at the highest level both on and off the field and is another highly regarded leader for our program.”
Chizik served as head coach at Auburn from 2009-2012 and registered a 33-19 record in those four seasons, including a 14-0 record in that national championship-winning season.
Chizik was fired and replaced by Gus Malzahn after the Tigers went 3-9 and were winless in SEC play in 2012.
Before coaching at Auburn, Chizik went 5-19 in two years as head coach at Iowa State. Additionally, he served as defensive coordinator at Texas when the Longhorns won the national title in 2005.
“I’m thrilled to join Coach Fedora’s staff and I appreciate the trust he and athletic director Bubba Cunningham have in me,” said Chizik. “It is a tremendous opportunity to coach at one of the most prestigious Universities in the country and live in Chapel Hill. I’m committed to the student-athlete experience they expect at Carolina, and look forward to developing our players into the best they can be in all areas of their lives.”
Before his two seasons at Texas in 2005 and 2006, Chizik served as defensive coordinator at Auburn from 2002-04, at UCF from 1998-2001 and at Stephen F. Austin from 1996-97. He also had stints as a defensive assistant at Clemson and Middle Tennessee.
Chizik has a tough task ahead of him with the Tar Heels. Defensive coordinator Vic Koennig was fired after the team was one of the worst defenses in the country, allowing 497.8 yards per game (No. 120 nationally) and 39 points per game (N. 119 nationally) in a 6-7 campaign.
For more North Carolina news, visit TarHeelIllustrated.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
