CHAPEL HILL – The University of North Carolina football program has made two changes to its defensive coaching staff, head coach Mack Brown announced Wednesday. Brown and assistant defensive head coach Gene Chizik have agreed to part ways, the pair determined after postseason meetings. Additionally, senior defensive analyst Ted Monachino will replace Tim Cross as defensive coach.
“Gene Chizik is one of the best football coaches I have worked with during my 46 years of coaching,” Brown said. “He is a man of faith who worked tirelessly to provide the best possible coaching and mentoring to the young men he coached. We met at length after the season and despite the improvements since last season, we agreed that we would part ways.” I would like to thank Gene and his family for everything they have done for our program and wish only the best for them.”
“Being a part of 36 wins and two ACC Coastal championships during my four years at UNC was truly a blessing,” Chizik said. “Mack Brown and I will continue to be the closest of friends and I would like to wish all the coaches, players and administration all the best for the future. I love these young men at UNC and will always be grateful that our paths crossed.”
Co-defensive coordinator Charlton Warren remains with the team as assistant head coach for defense and will oversee the defensive backs. A national search will begin immediately to identify and select the program's next defensive coordinator.
Monachino joined the program as a senior defensive analyst prior to the 2023 season and will take over for Cross, who served as defensive line coach for the past five seasons.
“I want to thank Coach Cross and his family for everything they have done for our program,” Brown added. “He is a wonderful man and an excellent football coach. Tim truly cares about the young men he coaches and it shows in the relationships he builds with them. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors.”
“As I evaluated the program, I felt it was the right time to make a change in this position. I was very impressed with Coach Monachino's work ethic and acumen in his first year as an NFL and college level analyst will be a great asset to not only our defensive line room, but our defense as a whole. It's also an added bonus that our players are already familiar with it. I'm excited to see what he can do in this new role.”
Monachino has coached at all levels of football for 33 years, including 16 years in the NFL, with a focus on outside linebacker and the defensive line. During his time in the league, Monachino mentored some of the game's most dynamic pass rushers, including Terrell Suggs, Khalil Mack, Elvis Dumervil and CJ Mosely. He won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and served as defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts for two seasons.
In two years under Monachino, Mack recorded the sixth-most sacks (17.5) and second-most forced fumbles (eight) among linebackers in the NFL during that span and made the Pro Bowl in each of those seasons.
During his time in Baltimore, Monachino improved the game of his star student Suggs, whom he also coached at Arizona St. Suggs had one of the most dominant seasons en route to winning the 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. He coached Dumervil to a franchise-record 17.0 sacks and a Pro Bowl appearance, and helped Mosely become the first rookie in franchise history to make the Pro Bowl.
Prior to his time in Baltimore, Monachino coached the Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive line for two seasons (2008-2009) and served as assistant defensive line coach from 2006-2007.
Monachino coached at Arizona State for five seasons (2001-05) and served as defensive line coach for the Sun Devils. He was instrumental in the development of Suggs, who was drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Suggs set the NCAA single-season records for sacks (24.0) and tackles for loss (31.5) in 2002 en route to winning the Bronko Nagurski and Lombardi Awards and the Morris Trophy for the Pac-10's top lineman.
Monachino also had coaching stints at Boise State (2000), Missouri State (1999), James Madison (1998) and Texas Christian (1996-97). He began his coaching career in Missouri at the high school level at Hannibal (Mo.) High School (1994-95) and Pacific (Mo.) High School (1991-93).
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