Gene Chizik feels good about the direction of UNC defense

Gene Chizik is feeling the positive vibes around the North Carolina defense ahead of the 2023 season.

After last season’s disaster of a defense, which somehow didn’t hamper the Tar Heels from getting to the ACC title game, Chizik is hoping to put out a better unit for Mack Brown’s squad this season. Speaking with the media as spring practices rage on, the defensive coordinator explained how his side of the football is coming along.

“I expect us to live up to what our athletic potential is,” started Chizik. “We’ve got a lot of really good athletes out there. We have to play better with more consistency. We’re definitely doing that right now. There’s no question in my mind we are way ahead of where we were this time last year. Not just because of some of the reps, but also some of the things we’ve injected in the defense that we think will help out guys. There’s a lot of young guys that have come along and helped us. So really, really productive ten days. Not a day that I can say we came out here and practiced without a purpose. That’s a compliment to all of our guys that come out here every day to do that.

“So feel really good about the direction we’re headed. I don’t feel great about where we are right now, but we have a lot of time, I feel really good about the direction we’re headed, because everybody’s coming out here every day with a purpose.”

Continuing, Chizik explained that he believes the Tar Heels have made some tremendous progress throughout the spring, especially in the defensive back room.

“I think we’re making progress,” Chizik added. “Every day I think we’re getting better. I think we’re learning a lot. We have a lot of new players back there. So there’s a learning curve. But what I really like is they’re putting themsleves in proximity to make plays.

“We’re not right now making all the ones that we should, but I’m really, really happy with the growth.”

Moreover, Chizik’s unit could’ve unraveled North Carolina’s season last year, so it’s safe to say any improvement on that side of the football should have the Tar Heels not just thinking about making it to the ACC title game, but capturing a victory.

Gene Chizik has plenty of work to do, but things are going swimmingly at the moment, and North Carolina will be a team to keep an eye on in 2023.