Geoff Collins, the former head coach at both Temple and ACC program Georgia Tech, has emerged as the top candidate for the defensive coordinator position at North Carolina, sources told FootballScoop Friday.
Mack Brown and Gene Chizik parted ways earlier this week after the Tar Heels wrapped up their 2023 season with a bowl loss to West Virginia.
Sources told FootballScoop Friday midday that Collins and UNC had reached verbal agreement and were finalizing terms.
After winning 15 games in two seasons as head coach at Temple, Collins, a Georgia native, was quickly hired by Georgia Tech but the success didn't translate. He was dismissed midway through the 2022 campaign in Atlanta.
But his work on top-notch defenses is unquestioned. Collins has coordinated defenses at Florida, Mississippi State and UCF, among other stops.
A keen talent evaluator, Collins also worked for Nick Saban in Alabama's personnel department.