North Carolina offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will not return next season, with the school announcing the departure of both assistants after a 4-8 season in Bill Belichick's college coaching debut.

Priefer spent 20 years coaching special teams in the NFL with the Jaguars, Giants, Chiefs, Broncos, Vikings and Browns before he joined Belichick's first staff at North Carolina. The Tar Heels averaged 18.3 yards per kick return which was 105th in the nation this season. They were 77th in average punt return yardage.