UNC football parts ways with two defensive coaches, including coordinator Jay Bateman
North Carolina football coach Mack Brown and co-defensive coordinator Jay Bateman have mutually decided to part ways and outside linebackers coach Jovan Dewitt will also not be returning, the school announced Friday.
The Tar Heels defense returned all of its starters from last year’s Orange Bowl appearance, but did not make the major improvements that were expected this season. The Heels finished 10th in the ACC in scoring defense.
The unit was plagued by uneven performances throughout the season, punctuated by its performance in their Duke’s Mayo Bowl loss. UNC allowed South Carolina, which was down to its fourth — and essentially, emergency quarterback — to engineer a rushing attack that gained 301 rushing yards.
Brown hired Bateman in December of 2018 from Army. DeWitt joined the staff in 2020 and also served as special teams coordinator.
UNC did not detail whether that means co-defensive coordinator Tommy Thigpen will take over the play calling duties for the defense. Running backs coach Larry Porter, who was assistant special teams coordinator, could likely oversee all of special teams now.
This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 11:18 AM.