Mack Brown addresses Jack Bicknell’s impact on offensive line recruiting

North Carolina head coach Mack Brown made big changes to his coaching staff this season with a focus on the offense, leading the Tar Heels to add offensive line coach Jack Bicknell from Louisville. Among other moves, the addition brings a fresh emphasis to the offense which promises to update the look on the field.

During an offseason press conference, Mack Brown provided an inside look at how North Carolina goes through the recruiting process and how things changed when Jack Bicknell joined as offensive line coach.

“The best players are the best players,” said Brown. “And Jack’s a great recruiter. So most of the guys approved, he’d already seen. And then as soon as he got here, we had him go back with Pat and sit and watch every young person that was here this weekend – to make sure that if he didn’t want them – then it’s our responsibility to call the family and say, ‘don’t waste your time and money, it’s not going to work with coach Bicknell.’

“Then, we’ll continue to look at all the other guys that we’ve had on our list that we’re recruiting, which most of them, he’s already seen. It was amazing, he said, ‘yeah, talked to him the other night. Yeah, that guy I’ve been recruiting for two years.’ And so the best players are the best players and offensive linemen are one of the hardest things to find. So usually, the best ones, we’re all on. So I don’t see that being much of an issue at all. Basically, what we had approved, Jack’s already approved and liked himself.”

Bicknell has also worked for SEC schools Auburn and Ole Miss in recent years after a stint with several NFL teams which included a Super Bowl championship.

Mack Brown on staff additions

The North Carolina Tar Heels are going to look very different on the field next season. A year after losing multiple offensive playmakers, UNC will now lose quarterback Sam Howell. But UNC’s changes extend further than just on the field, as Mack Brown has made multiple changes to his coaching staff.

“You always want to hire guys that have won,” Brown said on filling UNC’s staff with championship pedigree. “You always want to hire guys that believe in what you believe in. I love Jack (Bicknell)’s dad – Coach Bickell Sr. I mean he was one of those guys that I always looked up to at a young age. But coach Bicknell Sr. was one of the nicest, most generous, most giving guys that all of us looked up to.”