In a decisive move to revamp their coaching staff following a disappointing first season under head coach Bill Belichick, North Carolina has made significant changes, parting ways with offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. According to sources, this decision comes after the Tar Heels finished the 2025 season with a lackluster 4-8 record.
The team’s performance on offense was particularly concerning, as they struggled to compete at the national level. Averaging just 288.8 yards per game, North Carolina ranked 131st in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Furthermore, their scoring offense dismal figures placed them 121st, mustering only 19.3 points per game. These statistics underscored a pressing need for change, particularly as the Tar Heels aim to improve their competitive standing.
Kitchens, who had a brief stint as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2019, joined North Carolina in 2023 and took on the role of interim coach during a disappointing loss in the Fenway Bowl at the end of the 2024 season. With Belichick’s appointment as the new head coach during that same period, fans had hoped for a revitalization of the program. However, the lack of offensive production throughout the season prompted a comprehensive review of the coaching staff.
Meanwhile, Mike Priefer, a veteran special teams coach with extensive NFL experience, similarly faced the axe after just one season with the Tar Heels. His tenure, much like that of Kitchens, fell short of expectations, leading to concerns about the team’s overall performance in crucial game situations.
With these changes, the Tar Heels appear poised to enter a new phase of their football program, hoping to attract fresh talent and strategies that can rejuvenate their offense and special teams. The focus now shifts to how Belichick will reconstruct his coaching staff to improve the future prospects of the Tar Heels.
