UNC football looks to reinvigorate run game, defense in 2023 season

Last November, the North Carolina football team seemed to be on the verge of breaking into the national spotlight.

With a 9-1 record and season-high No. 13 AP Top 25 ranking, the Tar Heels were favored to pick up another home win against an unranked Georgia Tech team. But instead, UNC lost, dropping the next three games to N.C. State, Clemson in the ACC Championship and Oregon in the Holiday Bowl.

The Tar Heels have much to be optimistic about as they await the 2023 season. With a new offensive coordinator, a preseason ACC Player of the Year in quarterback Drake Maye and a defense eager for redemption, UNC looks primed to build upon last season's success.

"[2022 was] a good year," head coach Mack Brown said. "And we need to understand that’s a good year, and we want to have a great year."

'The perfect hire'

When former offensive coordinator Phil Longo parted ways with the program, Brown was looking for someone who could expand UNC's ground game while retaining its forte in passing.

So Brown hired UCF's Chip Lindsey as his new offensive coordinator.

“Chip was the perfect hire from my standpoint because he loves the air raid offense," Brown said. "He's been running it since high school. He's been very successful at Arizona State, Southern [Mississippi] and at Auburn. At the same time, he brings a better running game than what we’ve had."

Last season, the Tar Heels' offense ranked 19th overall in yards per game but 67th in rushing, heavily relying on Maye's record-breaking passing performances to fuel scoring. Meanwhile, Lindsey led a Knights offense that ranked 16th in total offense and ninth in rushing offense, providing the experience that Brown sought.

Improving the run game wasn't Brown's only priority, however — the new hire needed to properly cultivate Maye's potential. That's why Brown ensured Maye's involvement in the selection process, and Maye said he and Lindsey clicked "right off the bat."

Lindsey’s fresh perspective and background should help Maye’s play as the talented signal caller continues to refine his game. Additionally, Maye’s coachable attitude has also helped facilitate his dynamic relationship with Lindsey.

“[Drake’s] really a guy that’s driven," Lindsey said. "He wants to improve in every bit of his game. So when you give him something to work on, he’s gonna do it and he’ll give you great feedback."

'More comfortable and confident'

In 2022, UNC's defense ranked 116th worst out of 131 Football Subdivision teams at 437 yards allowed per game.

A bevy of factors contributed to the Tar Heels' defensive woes, including miscommunications leading to explosive plays and injuries forcing personnel changes. But to hear senior linebacker Cedric Gray tell it, neither of those reasons were the root cause of North Carolina's inconsistencies.

“Last year, we just knew what to do — we didn’t know why we were doing it or how we were gonna do it,” Gray said. “I think that’s very important to know those things because it gives you a better understanding of what you’re trying to do, what to expect and how to accomplish it.”

Defensive cornerstones like Gray, junior linebacker Power Echols and senior jack Kaimon Rucker now have a year under their belt in Gene Chizik's system, setting high expectations for UNC’s defense.

With a Heisman candidate quarterback and several veteran transfers joining the Tar Heels, it won't be a lack of talent or experience that holds UNC back. Taking the program to the next level will require execution on the defense's part.

And that execution begins with confidence.

“I think you’re gonna see a defense that’s a lot more comfortable and confident in what we’re doing,” Gray said. “I’m very excited for this year.”

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com