CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina’s defensive coaching staff overhaul includes the departure of outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Jovan Dewitt, the school announced on Friday.
A team spokesperson explained Dewitt’s departure in saying that “based on anticipated structural adjustments to the defense, the duties of the outside linebackers coaching position are expected to change.”
Dewitt arrived in Chapel Hill in January 2020 after a two-year stint in the same roles at Nebraska (2018-19) to improve UNC’s pass rush and special teams play. Both endeavors proved to be a difficult task. The Tar Heels finished 2021 ranked 104th nationally in pass rush grade (68.4) despite Mack Brown making that aspect of his defense an emphasis in the offseason.
UNC’s special teams were inconsistent at best. The Tar Heels finished the season ranked 104th nationally in net punting (36.9), 42nd in punt returns (9.75), 50th in opponent kickoff return (20), 106th in opponent punt returns (10.6) and 78th in kickoff returns (19.9). The worst special teams performance of his tenure likely came in the regular season loss at N.C. State. The Wolfpack blocked two punts, recovering the first block for a touchdown, while also recovering a pivotal onside kick in the final minutes of the game.
Dewitt joined defensive coordinator Jay Bateman as defensive staffers departing the UNC program officially on Friday. Dewitt had coached outside linebackers and special teams alongside of Bateman at Army in 2014-15.
He has nine years of defensive coordinator experience, beginning at Northern Michigan in 2004 with stops at St. Norbert (2006-08) and Northern Iowa (2009-11). He spent two years at Florida Atlantic as linebackers coach before joining Bateman at West Point.
