North Carolina offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens talks with North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez (7) prior to the Tar Heels’ game against Virginia on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
rwillett@newsobserver.com
Chapel Hill, N.C.
UNC football has “parted ways” with offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, the athletic department announced Friday morning.
“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes. We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors,” said head coach Bill Belichick, per a release.
The moves come both on the one-year anniversary of Belichick’s introductory press conference and, more importantly, after a 4–8 season in Belichick’s first year in Chapel Hill and one of the worst offensive performances in the FBS.
North Carolina ranked No. 131 nationally in total offense, No. 121 in scoring offense (19.3 points per game) and No. 119 in red-zone offense (77.1% scoring rate). The Tar Heels scored only 25 touchdowns in 2025, with just one game above 30 points — against FCS opponent Richmond. Only seven FBS teams scored fewer touchdowns than UNC.
The Tar Heels were held under 20 points in seven of 12 games and failed to score more than 27 points (UNC scored 27 on Halloween night against Syracuse) against any FBS opponent.
Quarterbacks Gio Lopez, Max Johnson (who has since transferred) and Au’Tori Newkirk combined for 13 touchdown passes. Only one skill player, wide receiver Jordan Shipp, ranked inside the top 15 in the ACC in a major statistical category.
Kitchens, 51, spent one season as Belichick’s offensive coordinator. He originally joined UNC under Mack Brown after the 2022 season as tight ends coach. Kitchens then served as interim head coach for the 2024 Fenway Bowl following Brown’s departure.
Belichick retained Kitchens last offseason, making him the lone position coach to remain through the coaching transition.
A longtime NFL assistant, Kitchens coached for the Cowboys, Cardinals, Browns and Giants. He was also Cleveland’s head coach in 2019.
Priefer was also released after spending one season on Belichick’s inaugural staff. He oversaw a special teams unit that faltered throughout the 2025 season before suffering its most visible breakdown in the home finale against Duke.
North Carolina committed a roughing-the-kicker penalty in the first half of that game that led to a Blue Devil touchdown. The Tar Heels later bit on a fake field goal from Duke’s Todd Pelino, setting up the go-ahead touchdown moments later.
UNC missed a bowl game this year for the first time since 2018. The Tar Heels opened the season with a blowout loss to TCU, then endured a four-game losing streak after wins over Charlotte and Richmond. The team ended the year with three consecutive defeats.
The program is searching for a new offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator, especially as the transfer portal opens Jan. 2.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This story was originally published December 12, 2025 at 8:58 AM.
