Mack Brown, UNC football move swiftly to hire new defensive coordinator

Working quickly to plug the holes in his coaching staff, UNC head football coach Mack Brown announced Friday the Tar Heels have hired Geoff Collins to serve as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Collins, who most recently was the head coach at Georgia Tech through the 2022 season, has coached in college football for 27 years. That includes six as a head coach and 11 as a defensive coordinator.

“Geoff is brilliant defensive mind who has been successful at a number of different locations as both a head coach and a coordinator,” Brown said in a news release Friday. “His experience shows that he knows what it takes to lead the men in our program, and he’ll utilize that experience for the benefit of our defense.”

Wednesday, Brown announced changes to his staff that included relieving veteran coach Gene Chizik of his duties as the Heels’ defensive coordinator. Chizik, 62, was defensive coordinator at Texas under Brown when the Longhorns won the 2005 national championship, and had coached at UNC once before, as defensive coordinator under Larry Fedora.

“We met extensively following the season,” Brown said of Chizik on Wednesday. “And despite the improvements from last season to this season, we mutually agreed that parting ways would be in the best interest of both (Chizik) and the program.”

The Tar Heels had a tough year on the defensive side of the ball. After the team ran out to a 6-0 start, the Heels were ranked among the Top 10 in the AP Top 25 poll. But a porous defense contributed to a second-half slide that saw North Carolina finish 8-5. The Tar Heels finished tied for 10th in ACC in points allowed per game (27.3) and 12th in yards allowed per game (404.4).

In Collins, Brown is optimistic he’s found the right coach to help plug those holes.

“We were blown away when we interviewed Geoff,” Brown said in Friday’s statement. “He was unbelievably prepared. He had watched all of our games, knew our personnel, and pinpointed the items he’d implement to improve our players and the defensive unit as a whole. I can’t wait to get Geoff and his family to Chapel Hill and get to work.”

Collins has recruited or coached more than three dozen players that have gone on to play in the National Football League.

Collins said Friday he’s eager to get started.

“I’ve long admired Carolina and know what a truly special place it is,” Collins said. “I feel honored and am very excited to get to work with the high-quality student-athletes in Chapel Hill. This past year has been a very valuable experience personally, studying the game from a unique perspective, following the trends, and preparing for my next coaching position. I’m ready for this challenge. I’m excited for this challenge, and I can’t wait to get to Chapel Hill and get started.”

Collins’ coaching experience

Prior to taking the reins at Georgia Tech, Collins put together the most successful first two seasons by a head coach in Temple’s 121-year football history in 2017 and 2018. Collins compiled 15 wins and led Temple to two bowl games in his two seasons with the Owls, which are both school records for a coach in his first two campaigns at TU.

Prior to becoming head coach at Temple, Collins was one of the nation’s most respected defensive coordinators, serving in the role at Florida (2015-16), Mississippi State (2013-14, co-DC: 2011-12), FIU (2010) and his alma mater, Western Carolina (2002-05).

As a student-athlete, Collins totaled 194 career tackles as an outside linebacker and defensive back at Western Carolina (1989-92). He had 68 tackles and six tackles for loss as a junior and helped lead WCU to a 7-4 record with 62 stops, including five behind the line of scrimmage, as a senior.

Here’s a snapshot of his experience:

• 2019-22 – Georgia Tech (head coach)

• 2017-18 – Temple (head coach)

• 2015-16 – Florida (defensive coordinator)

• 2013-14 – Mississippi State (defensive coordinator)

• 2011-12 – Mississippi State (co-defensive coordinator)

• 2010 – Florida International (defensive coordinator)

• 2008-09 – UCF (linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator)

• 2007 – Alabama (director of player personnel)

• 2006 – Georgia Tech (recruiting coordinator)

• 2002-05 – Western Carolina (defensive coordinator)

• 2001 – Georgia Tech (tight ends coach)

• 1999-2000 – Georgia Tech (graduate assistant)

• 1997-98 – Albright (defensive coordinator)

• 1996 – Fordham (linebackers coach)

• 1995 – Franklin (N.C.) H.S. (assistant coach)

• 1993-94 – Western Carolina (student assistant)