Tarheel Defense

Jay Bateman, a 23-year coaching veteran, joined the North Carolina football staff as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach on Dec. 9, 2018. Bateman joined Mack Brown’s staff following a five-year stint as Army’s defensive coordinator (2014-18). In his first season at Carolina, Bateman helped engineer a number of improvements in the Tar Heel defense, which was one of the nation’s top five most improved units in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense. UNC allowed 373.2 yards per game, which was almost a 75-yard per game improvement over the previous season, and bolstered its ranking by 56 positions. The scoring defense improved by 63 spots after holding opponents to 10.8 points less per game, and the rushing defense jumped 60 spots after allowing 75.3 yards fewer per game. In addition, the defense surged up 60 spots in opponent third-down percentage and tallied seven more INTs than the prior year. Individually, Bateman mentored senior safety Myles Dorn to All-ACC honorable mention accolades. Bateman’s tenure at Army coincided with a resurgence for the Black Knights. Army won 29 games, including three bowl games, over his last three seasons, which included two Top-10 finishes in total defense.