Ex-national championship head coach fired by North Carolina

North Carolina made a coaching change on Wednesday and got rid of a former national champion.

The Tar Heels announced that they had gotten rid of two defensive coaches. UNC is parting ways with defensive coordinator Gene Chizik. Defensive line coach Tim Cross is also out. Senior Defensive Analyst Ted Monachino will take over as the program’s defensive line coach, while the Tar Heels will be searching for a new defensive coordinator.

“Gene Chizik is one of the best football coaches I’ve shared the sideline with during my 46 years of coaching,” head coach Mack Brown said in a statement. “He’s a man of faith who worked tirelessly to provide the best coaching and mentorship he could to the young men he coached. We met extensively following the season, and despite the improvements from last season to this season, we mutually agreed that parting ways would be in the best interest of both he (sic) and the program. I want to thank Gene and his family for all they’ve done for our program and wish them nothing but the best.”

Chizik, 62, served as an assistant head coach/defensive coordinator the last two seasons. The Heels allowed 27.3 points per game this season (75th of 133). That was an improvement from the season before, when they allowed 30.8 points per game (102nd of 131).

Chizik won a national championship as an assistant coach with Texas in 2005. He was the head coach of Auburn in 2010 when they went 14-0 and won the national championship.