Report: North Carolina is Targeting Former Georgia Tech Head Coach Geoff Collins to be its new Defensive Coordinator

Collins coached Georgia Tech from 2019-2022

The North Carolina and Georgia Tech rivalry just got a whole lot more interesting if the reports are true. 

According to John Brice at FootballScoop, North Carolina has zeroed in on former Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins to be their new defensive coordinator. North Carolina let go of Gene Chizik recently and has been in the market for a new defensive coordinator and it looks like they might have found their man. 

NEWS: Mack Brown & North Carolina are zeroing in on their top target for defensive coordinator, & sources tell @FootballScoop it's former Georgia Tech HC & veteran DC Geoff Collins: https://t.co/ooEB6H7Csb

— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) January 5, 2024

Other outlets are also reporting the news. 

North Carolina is targeting ex-Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins for its defensive coordinator job, sources tell @247sports.

Before serving as head coach at Georgia Tech and Temple, Collins was a highly respected DC at Florida and Mississippi State. (@JohnDBrice1 1st)… pic.twitter.com/jM3iih29RQ

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 5, 2024

Collins did not hold a position this past season but he has been rumored to be in the mix for multiple defensive coordinator jobs such as at North Carolina and USC. 

Collins finished with a record of 10-28 as the head coach of the Yellow Jackets and 0-2 against Georgia, losing by a combined score of 97-7 in two meetings.

After Collins was let go, Brent Key took over as the interim head coach and then was named the permanent head coach at the season's end. Key led the Yellow Jackets to a 7-6 record this season, including their first bowl win since 2016. 

Former Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

This does add a layer of intrigue to an already interesting ACC rivalry. Georgia Tech currently has a three-game winning streak over the Tar Heels and in each game, North Carolina was ranked and Georgia Tech was unranked. The Yellow Jackets travel to Chapel Hill next season to take on the Tar Heels, but the date of that game has yet to be announced. The ACC is set to announce the dates to the rest of the schedule at 9:00 p.m. on January 31st. 

Georgia Tech is returning one of the ACC's best offenses next season and North Carolina will be trying to replace a lot of their offensive talent on that side of the ball including quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver Tez Walker. 

Former Georgia Tech Offensive Lineman Tyler Gibson Chooses Transfer Destination

Follow us on social media for the latest news on Georgia Tech Athletics!

Facebook: All Yellow Jacket

Twitter: @AllYellowJacket