Report: Former UNC star receiver Ryan Switzer to join Tulsa coaching staff as wide receivers coach

Ryan Switzer is taking a step towards a new area in the game of football.

A former star wide receiver at North Carolina who took his talents to the NFL for a couple seasons is joining the sidelines, per Bruce Feldman of FOX and The Athletic. Switzer will be the new wide receivers coach of the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes.

“SOURCE: Former UNC star Ryan Switzer is expected to become Tulsa’s new WR coach,” tweeted Feldman. “Kevin Wilson who came from Ohio State, sees some Brian Hartline in the 28-year old former college star-turned-NFL wideout in terms of his presence, work ethic and attention to detail.”

Of course, that’s high praise from Feldman comparing Switzer to Brian Hartline, as the freshly-minted Ohio State offensive coordinator has been essential to the Buckeyes’ operation since joining their coaching staff.

Time will tell if the praise is warranted, but Ryan Switzer could move up quickly if he’s as advertised at Tulsa.

Josh Downs on former North Carolina star Ryan Switzer: ‘I look up to Ryan’

Continuing, Ryan Switzer is one of the top wide receivers in North Carolina history, thanks to his ability within the offense but also in the punt game. He was named first-team All-ACC during the 2016 season before eventually leaving in 2016 and getting drafted into the NFL.

Over the past season, Switzer tried to help out some of the receivers still on campus in Chapel Hill. One is Josh Downs — who called Switzer “a big brother.” Downs is always open to advice from the current NFL star and knows if Switzer is giving him information, it’s something he should listen to.

“I look up to Ryan,” Downs said. “He’s been in the league for a few years so, whatever he says, I know it’s coming with knowledge. He’s been there, done that. And that it’s coming with love, he’s like a big brother to me. If he’s telling me I need to fix something, I know I probably need to fix it. If he’s telling me I should put something in my arsenal, I should probably put it in my arsenal.”

Downs went on to dive deeper into the relationship, saying the two North Carolina wide receivers are always checking up on one another. Although Downs was already one of the top players in the ACC, he knows there is still a lot to be learned from Switzer. The relationship they have only makes the process easier.

“Seeing a guy like that, that’s been at Carolina and he’s a legend, it means a lot,” said Downs. He has a lot of knowledge in his head. He definitely wants to help coach us, teach us each and every day. He always checks up on me, I always check up on him and whenever I feel like I have a question about something, he’s always there to answer it.”

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this article.