Just four days after letting go of special coordinator and outside linebackers coach Scott Boone, the Tar Heels have found his replacement.
It comes in the form of former Nebraska special teams and outside linebackers coach Jovan Dewitt. Dewitt spent the past two years in Lincoln as part of Scott Frost’s staff, leading a very successful unit in year one before heading up a unit that had their struggles in 2019. Prior to his stop in Lincoln, Dewitt held the same roles under Frost at Central Florida and was part of the rejuvenation of a struggling Knights defense. Dewitt also had plenty of success as the special teams coordinator for Knights, led by the success of a kickoff return game that was phenomenal because of dynamic returner and former Tar Heel Mike Hughes. Just before his stop in Orlando, Dewitt held those same two positions, while working with Jay Bateman to help begin the turnaround of the Army defense. Under his watch Army had some of the better coverage units in the country and a punt return unit that blocked 7 punts in his two seasons. Other stops included Florida Atlantic, Northern Iowa, St. Norbert, Northern Michigan, Fairmont State & Fort Scott Community College.
Dewitt is a veteran in the coaching world and brings plenty of knowledge around special teams and defense to make an impact on this staff. His prior history of coaching under Bateman makes this an even more attractive hire. Dewitt has some work ahead of him, but this is a really solid hire for a team that is looking to compete for an ACC Championship in 2020.