A 3-0 start was a promising beginning to the season for Mack Brown and the North Carolina Tar Heels, but a 70-50 loss at home to James Madison on Sept. 21 was the beginning of the end for UNC football. The Tar Heels went on to lose three consecutive games after that, including their first loss to Duke since 2018, which set the wheels in motion for a North Carolina football coaching change. UNC announced that Brown wouldn't return for next season on Nov. 26, though he did coach the team's final regular season game, a 35-30 loss against NC State.
UNC will be led by interim head coach Freddie Kitchens in a bowl game, and now the North Carolina football coaching search is more than a week old as the Tar Heels got a head start on every other Power Four program. Which names should you know about on the UNC football coaching hot board? If you love the Tar Heels, or just want to know who will call the shots for UNC football in the future, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at InsideCarolina, the 247Sports affiliate that covers UNC.
The InsideCarolina insiders are providing on-the-ground updates on every development surrounding Brown's departure and the future of the UNC football program, including insights from Evans Rogers and Buck Sanders, who have deep-rooted ties inside and around the UNC community. Get all the inside scoop on the football program, plus VIP intel on UNC football, basketball, recruiting and more. Plus get access to The Tar Pit and the UNC Basketball premium message boards where you can connect with other UNC fans and insiders.
And right now, InsideCarolina is offering 75% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. The team at InsideCarolina already has a list out of several potential candidates and there are some surprising names on the list. Head to InsideCarolina now to see them all.
Top North Carolina football coach candidates
One name the staff has identified as a potential target is Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. The Bulldogs are a virtual lock to make the College Football Playoff this year, and it's thanks in large part to Schumann's defense yet again. The Bulldogs have ranked 25th or better nationally in total defense every year that Schumann has either been the defensive coordinator or co-DC. That dates back to 2019, and that span includes four top-five defenses and two top-ranked defenses.
Schumann has learned defensive coaching from two of the top minds in the sport in Kirby Smart and Nick Saban. He also has a background in college football administration as he was Saban's director of football operations in 2014, learning skills that would be valuable if he makes the jump to Power Four head coach.
With strong recruiting ties in the South and experience both on and off the field for two of the top programs in recent history, Schumann fits the mold as one of the top North Carolina football head coach candidates. See more candidates at InsideCarolina.
How to get insider UNC coaching staff search updates
The rest of the list includes several other intriguing names, including two former NFL head coaches and a college coach who is on a "meteoric" rise. You can only see who they are at InsideCarolina.
Who are the top candidates in the UNC football coaching search, and which former NFL head coaches could be in the mix? Go to InsideCarolina to see their UNC coaching hot board and more, all from a team of UNC insiders, and find out.
And reminder, InsideCarolina is offering 75% off an annual VIP membership as a coaching search special, so subscribe now before it's too late.
*Terms: This offer is only available for new members who sign up for an annual subscription to InsideCarolina. After the first year, subscription will re-bill on an annual basis at the regular rate. 247Sports.com reserves the right to alter or cancel this promotion at any time. Please write support@247sports.com with any questions you may have.
