North Carolina has hired former Auburn coach Gene Chizik as an assistant head coach for defense, the school said on Saturday.

Chizik is no longer a coach and has spent the last few years working at ESPN for the SEC network. Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator in North Carolina from 2015 to 2016, helping the Tar Heels become the most improved defensive unit in the country.

He also worked for North Carolina coach Mack Brown previously as defensive coordinator in Texas from 2005 to 2006.

Additionally, North Carolina has hired Indiana Defensive Coordinator Charlton Warren as the Defensive Co-Coordinator and Defensive Back Coach. Warren worked with Chizik previously in North Carolina.

Earlier in the week, North Carolina announced that defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and linebackers / special teams coach Jovan Dewitt will not be returning.

North Carolina struggled defensively last season, allowing 32.1 points per game in a year that began with ACC championship hopes.

“Having coached here before, I know it is a special place and I am delighted to help the program take the next step towards competition and winning the championships,” Chizik said in a statement. “I’m also delighted to be working again with Coach Brown and a number of assistants. I know this group is doing things the right way and for the right reasons, which is really important to me. had several opportunities to return to training, but this is the total package. I have seen what the program has become since Coach Brown returned, I know where he is going, and I am delighted to be a part of it. We can’t wait to go to Chapel Hill, meet all the guys and get down to business. “