FootballScoop first reported on Thursday that Mack Brown had hired Greg Robinson as his defensive coordinator, which was then followed by a number of other outlets.
Sources said Robinson was in the building working on Thursday night, which was confirmed by Inside Carolina (emphasis added):
On Thursday, IC reported that Robinson, who worked with new UNC head coach Mack Brown in two different stints at Texas, had been tabbed to head the Tar Heels’ defense in a co-coordinator role with assistant coach Tommy Thigpen. Sources indicated that Brown had decided to hire Robinson, who was at the Kenan Football Center this week and had been introduced around the facility as UNC’s new defensive coordinator.
Fast forward to Friday afternoon and North Carolina announced a number of hires -- but not Robinson. Among those hires was defensive line coach Tim Cross, who worked with Robinson and Mack Brown in two different stints at Texas.
Now, Inside Carolina reports that Brown is backing out of the Robinson hiring, due in part to Internet backlash:
The news was met with immediate negative backlash, both internally and externally, according to sources. Later Thursday evening ESPN reported that while its sources had initially indicated Robinson would be hired as UNC’s defensive coordinator, another source said the final decision had not been made and Brown could look in a different direction.
Sources have confirmed to IC that Robinson is no longer in consideration for the defensive coordinator position. Another source confirmed the ESPN report, indicating that an interview had occurred but that an agreement had not been reached.
In addition to Cross, other hires officially announced by UNC are tight ends coach Tim Brewster and cornerbacks coach Dre Bly, while Tommy Thigpen was retained as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
FootballScoop sources say Robinson was in the building working as of Friday morning, so stay tuned to this one.