Social media reacts to UNC Football parting ways Gene Chizik
The day many Tar Heel fans had hoped for came, as it was announced Wednesday morning that the UNC football program and Gene Chizik had agreed to part ways.
The news shot out to social media like a cannon, with some satisfied by the staff changes, and others feeling like it was a little too late. Despite fans clamoring for Chizik’s departure for quite some time, the defensive coach era at UNC didn’t last long, only spending two seasons in Chapel Hill.
UNC did improve on the defensive end from Chizik’s first season to his second, allowing 30.8 points in year one to 27.3 in year two. Still, UNC’s struggles on the defensive end remained a liability, and the play calling was abysmal, resulting in the eventual parted ways.
The Tar Heels will now be in search of their third defensive coordinator since Mack Brown returned as the Head Coach in 2018. Brown whose support from fans has begun to waver, finds himself in a spot to bring in a defensive coordinator who can bring the excitement and promise back to the UNC football program.
It was quite a sight on social media as opinions began to circulate. From the good to the bad, here are the social media reactions to UNC Football parting ways with Gene Chizik.
North Carolina fans after hearing the news of Gene Chizik's dismissal. #CarolinaFootball pic.twitter.com/Xtpi24dDn6
— False Start: A CFB Podcast (@CFBFalseStart) January 3, 2024
These guys didn’t work out with us. Wish nothing but the best for them but changes are for sure needed if we want to make the next jump https://t.co/bzhgW6ezZo
— Wacky Durag Hubert Davis (@AwesomeCoolFlex) January 3, 2024
All Gene Chizik had to do to get the Carolina HC job was not let teams score 40 on a regular basis. That’s all.
— GregLee (@GregLee) January 3, 2024
UNC has parted ways with Gene Chizik?!
2024 just might be my year.
— William Lane (@TheWillieLane) January 3, 2024
Chizik being shown the door has really improved my day
— Florian Wirtz Enjoyer/Gene Chizik Hater (@xab1ball) January 3, 2024
Gene Chizik’s super weird career continues to be super weird.
— Jeremy Burns (@RegularDude007) January 3, 2024
Gene Chizik firing:
Someone said on the message board. "Who cares? It's like shuffling chairs on the titanic." 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/IpFKKs45Oy
— Kevin Carter (@tarheelanalyst) January 3, 2024
As an NC State fan, I'm really going to miss Gene Chizik. I want to thank him for all of the fun memories and wish him nothing but the best going forward. https://t.co/pODRqIM8Mo
— Andrew Schnittker (@aschnitt53) January 3, 2024
UNC has announced the necessary moves to part ways with DC Gene Chizik and DL coach Tim Cross. Both seemed inevitable given the state of the defense the past two years. Mack Brown decides to stay in-house at DL coach, so his DC hire needs to be A+.
— Greg Barnes (@GSBarnes23) January 3, 2024
Who will be UNC's coach in 2030 when they bring back Gene Chizik for another 2-year stint to "save" their defense?
— Conor O'Neill (@ConorONeill_DI) January 3, 2024
GENE CHIZIK IS GONE
WE ARE FREE
JOYOUS DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN
— Katie Stats (@kpondiscio) January 3, 2024
Thank you to Gene Chizik and Tim Cross for your time, effort and energy spent towards @UNCFootball! 🏈🐏
— Great Day Tar Heel (@GreatDayTarHeel) January 3, 2024
Mack Brown getting two years of peak Drake Maye and choosing to spend them with his buddy Gene Chizik as defensive coordinator: an underrated college football bag fumble that should never be forgotten
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) January 3, 2024
Will Muschamp to UNC as the program’s new DC. I’m speaking it into existence. Make the call, Mack.
— Patrick (@pmhunter) January 3, 2024
Chizik gone. Where do we go now.
— Bobby Lorenzo (@bobbylorenzoGA) January 3, 2024
UNC finally fired Chizik. Thought they’d let him ruin the defense forever.
— 🐅 Beat Miami 🏀 (@ClemsonCameron) January 3, 2024
Mack and Chizik have been friends for a long time. But at a certain point, you have to do what's right for your program. And UNC's defense is in desperate need of a different direction. Parting ways is a move that had to happen.
— BFriedACC (@BFriedACC) January 3, 2024
Thank you Coach Chiz and Cross‼️ two great stand up men, who always lead by example. Couldn’t ask for better coaches and mentors 🫡 https://t.co/MCQ0aR9Cfc
— Armani Chatman (@iamarmani9) January 3, 2024
5 years of Sam Howell and Drake Maye. One bowl win. Lots of disappointment on defense. Feels like what could have been… https://t.co/YxZJUgT1lX
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) January 3, 2024
Chizik out! https://t.co/RfAkTArarr pic.twitter.com/oggm0PioxU
— Ryan Helms (@RyanHelms12) January 3, 2024
UNC and DC Gene Chizik have agreed to part ways. Always appreciate his time and candor. Co-DC Charlton Warren stays as assistant HC for the defense/DBs coach.
Heels finished the season 12th in the ACC in total defense after finishing last in 2022. https://t.co/e7Eyj9Zxz3
— Taylor Tannebaum (@TaylorTannebaum) January 3, 2024
I hate to celebrate the firing of anyone even if I agree that it needed to be done. https://t.co/q0IoEy2Shm
— Sharon Hart (@Sharon_Hart1) January 3, 2024
Gene Chizik has been let go as defensive coordinator at UNC. The Tar Heels finished 98th in total defense this season, allowing 404.4 yards per game. https://t.co/bWF4OjYyIK
— Brian Stultz (@brianjstultz) January 3, 2024
By all accounts, two great guys who gave their all to UNC but the correct move. Defense has woefully underperformed to say the least. The SC game with 9 sacks gave a glimpse into the talent and then the rest of the season showed the coaching. Step in the right direction https://t.co/oJDJHmajvR
— Ian J. Ebert (@HeelToTheDome) January 3, 2024
https://t.co/shC7AdXDFb pic.twitter.com/eIolFi8s71
— Micah Castillo™ (@micahc25) January 3, 2024
https://t.co/fVaDFCo7fu pic.twitter.com/3wupZf3y75
— zay (@_zaylu) January 3, 2024
Special teams?! https://t.co/IPLgWNGqqW
— Jonathan A. Jensen (@JAJensenPhD) January 3, 2024