UNC Football: North Texas defensive coordinator Mike Ekeler joins North Carolina staff

Continuing the team’s reshuffling of the coaching staff, the University of North Carolina has hired on North Texas defensive coordinator Mike Ekeler. This decision seems to have obvious implications toward Gene Chizik’s place with the school.

2016 was Ekeler’s first year with the Mean Green. He has previously coached linebackers at Georgia, Southern California, Indiana and Nebraska. He actually served alongside John Papuchis of UNC’s defensive staff during his three years with the Cornhuskers.

This decision would seemingly confirm that after two seasons with the Tar Heels, Chizik will be leaving the program. He was instrumental in improving the team’s defensive capabilities over that time.

Larry Fedora has now hired three new members to his staff, the others being defensive backs coach Terry Joseph and defensive line coach Deke Adams. With all the new faces on and off the field, the 2017 Tar Heels are looking more and more like a completely new team.