Mack 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.”

When Chizik led the Tigers to a national championship victory in 2010, he did so 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.

Brown hopes to utilize his longtime colleague to help create stability on the ball’s defense side for the Tar Heels. Under Brown, North Carolina’s offense has impressed. And if Chizik can get the defensive fall in line, North Carolina could find themselves challenging for the ACC title this season.