UPDATE: North Carolina announced on Thursday that Chizik has stepped down.
North Carolina has hired North Texas defensive coordinator Mike Ekeler into a co-defensive coordinator role, according to FootballScoop.
The move puts UNC at 10 full-time assistants, which would indicate that someone is on the way out. Per the report, Tar Heel defensive coordinator Gene Chizik has been considering stepping back from coaching.
Chizik would be the third member of UNC’s staff to depart this offseason. Defensive line coach Tray Scott left for Ole Miss in December before leaving the Rebels for Georgia this week. North Carolina defensive backs coach Charlton Warren left the program last month for the same position at Tennessee.
UNC has since hired Texas A&M secondary coach Terry Joseph to replace Warren, while former ECU defensive line coach Deke Adams took Scott’s spot. Linebackers coach John Papuchis has remained with the staff.
North Texas finished No. 93 nationally in yards per play allowed (6.07) in 2016.