UNC football aims to get new o-line coach in place quickly after recent departure
North Carolina football coach Mack Brown has moved quickly to replace offensive line coach Stacy Searles, who accepted the same position at Georgia on Sunday. An offer has reportedly already been made to Louisville offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr.
Brown spoke with media Tuesday on a video conference after the Tar Heels’ first day of spring practice. He did not confirm that he offered Bicknell the job, but reiterated the urgency of the process.
“It’s the only offer that I made and hopefully all that will work out and we can move forward here quickly,” Brown said. “Because the faster we can get someone in here and get them on the field, the better.”
Brown said he keeps a list of possible replacements at every position. He even used to solicit his current staff for names of candidates they thought would be good replacements if they ever left.
Bicknell checks many boxes of what Brown considers his criteria for staff hires. It’s not just about fitting the style of play for the Heels. Brown wanted someone with the right personality to blend in with his offensive coaches. And someone who can recruit in this region.
“I like to hire people that I know something about,” Brown said. “I like to hire people that know people that our staff knows and trusts because I think all of that is smoother.”
Bicknell had NFL coaching stops in Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Miami, and won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in the 2011 season. His collegiate coaching experience led him to Mississippi, where he was on staff with UNC offensive coordinator Phil Longo.
Bicknell coached at Auburn in 2020, and last season with Louisville.
Carolina will have to break in a new quarterback to replace Sam Howell, and a new primary running back to replace 1,000-yard rusher Ty Chandler. Its offensive line will be critical to having any sort of success after what was an inconsistent season.
The Heels have to replace two starters from last season. Josh Ezeudu, who was arguably their most versatile lineman, and Marcus McKethan are both at the NFL combine this week. Corey Gaynor, a graduate transfer from Miami, and freshman Zach Rice, a five-star lineman who enrolled early from Lynchburg, Virginia, both participated with the starting five on Tuesday.
Brown hopes his new hire will help rejuvenate the unit.
“I learned that sometimes change is good because it brings in new ideas and it brings in fresh energy,” Brown said. “And when our new offensive line coach comes in, it’s gonna be a new start for all those kids. Every one of them has a fresh start.”
While they await the new coach, Kevin Donnalley filled in as the interim offensive line coach. Donnalley, who played 13 years in the NFL as an offensive lineman, is currently the director of the Koman Game Plan for Success.
Brown said Searles wanted to go back to Georgia, where he served as offensive line coach and run game coordinator from 2007-10.
“We appreciate all Stacy did for us and want to wish him good luck,” Brown said. “He’s a tremendous coach and better person and he wanted to go back to Georgia and we totally understand that.”
This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 3:55 PM.