Myles Murphy sees difference in how Gene Chizik utilizes defensive lineman

North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Myles Murphy is excited about the possibilities of his team’s defense for the upcoming season. This offseason, head coach Mack Brown brought in his former defensive coordinator from the University of Texas and national championship-winning head coach at Auburn Gene Chizik, to take over the reins on defense. And Murphy can already see a difference in how Chizik utilizes defensive.

“I feel like Chizik is real smart with it,” said Murphy. “He knows how to get my opportunities to come and go. He knows how to get past rushers set to go for us to take off. It’s really going to be amazing to watch this season, for real.”

Chizik led the Tigers to a national championship victory in 2010 with an over-powered offense and a defense capable of making a stand when needed. Auburn had a few games in which they allowed more than 30 points. However, in their biggest games of the season, Auburn allowed just over 21 points per game, including limiting South Carolina to 17 points in the SEC championship game and the Oregon Ducks to 19 points in the national championship game. If Chizik can find some of the magic from 2010, then the difference Murphy sees could result in an ACC championship or even better, a College Football Playoff championship come 2023.

Brown marvels about Gene Chizik, impact on UNC defense

The North Carolina defense was almost nonexistent last season as they struggled to stop the opposing team’s offenses. Out of the 13 games they played, they allowed opposing teams to score 30-plus points nine times. So head coach Mack Brown needed to make a change on defense, and he did when he hired his former defensive coordinator Gene Chizik.

During a recent press conference, Brown marveled about Chizik and his impact on the Tar Heels defense.

“When you introduce Gene to your defensive staff and say he was the defensive coordinator that won the national championship for us when we were in Texas. And he was the head coach that won the national championship at Auburn; most people never win a national championship here’s a guy who’s won two,” said Brown. “So he walks in the room with a swagger a confidence and credibility that every player in that room says wow. Then you start looking at the pro players he’s coached, he Charlton Warren both, and it’s really gotten our defensive players attention. They’re having fun and focused and excited about the fall.”