Report: North Carolina expected to hire Bob Diaco as linebackers coach

The North Carolina Tar Heels are expected to hire Bob Diaco as their linebackers coach, according to a report on Sunday from Matt Zenitz of 247sports.com. He was on the LSU staff for the last two years, and has also been the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame and Nebraska in the past. He was also the head coach for the UConn Huskies at one point. His record as a head coach was 11-26 in his three years with the Huskies.

A native of New Jersey, Diaco served under Brian Kelly when he was at Central Michigan (2005), Cincinnati (2009), and Notre Dame (2010-2013). In 2005 for Central Michigan, Diaco was the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Chippewas who went 6-5 and had only the second winning season for the team in over a decade.

From 2010-2013, Diaco was known as one of the top defensive coordinators in the country during his time with the Fighting Irish. While in South Bend, Diaco was named as the Broyes Award winner, given to the nation’s top assistant coach in 2012. He was also named a semifinalist for the award in 2011.

Diaco spent two years coaching linebackers and special teams with the Virginia Cavaliers under Al Groh.