WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

UNC Names Withers Defensive Coordinator

Feb 25, 2008

Everett Withers, a native of Charlotte, has been named defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, North Carolina football coach Butch Davis announced Monday.

Withers had spent the 2007 season at the University of Minnesota¹s defensive coordinator in 2007. He replaces Chuck Pagano, now an assistant with the Baltimore Ravens.

"There's a lot of talent here," Withers said in a conference call with reporters. "I know these guys are eager. They want to play hard and they want to play fast. If you’ve got that, you’ve got a chance."

Davis said he was impressed by Withers' knowledge of the 4-3 defense and the fact that he had spent six seasons with the Tennessee Titans under head coach Jeff Fisher. Before that, Withers, 44, was defensive backs coach under Mack Brown at Texas from 1998-2000.

"I was very impressed with his overall general knowledge of what all 11 guys do," Davis said.

At UNC, Withers will be looking to improve a defense that allowed 3.5 yards per rush last season.

Asked what he is looking for from his defesne this season, Davis said, "Last year we played so many young players that in some respects it starts with a continued development of fundamentals.

From a statistical standpoint, one of the things and Everett and I talked about is you really want to be very good at stopping the run. If you cant stop the run, you will struggle all day long. That’s one of the areas we’d love to try to make significant improvement. ...

"The other area you’d like to see improvement in is in third-down defense, the ability to get off the field."

Rivals converted 39 percent of their third downs last season.

Withers graduated from Appalachian State in 1985. He was a defensive back and captain for the Mountaineers from 1981-85. Withers and his wife, Kara, have two children, Tia and Pierce.

UNC begins spring practice March 3.

Withers At A Glance (Information Provided by UNC)
Born: June 15, 1963
Hometown: Charlotte
High School: West Charlotte
Alma Mater: Appalachian State, 1985

Coaching Experience
2008: North Carolina Defensive Coordinator
2007: Minnesota Defensive Coordinator
2001-06: Tennessee Titans Defensive Backs Coach
1998-2000: Texas Defensive Backs
1995-97: Louisville Defensive Coordinator
1994: New Orleans Saints Defensive Quality Control
1992-93: Southern Mississippi Defensive Backs
1991: Tulane Outside Linebackers
1990: Austin Peay Wide Receivers/Special Teams
1988-89: Austin Peay Defensive Coordinator