The Zeitgeist List · coaching

North Carolina: a football coaching history

National Program II#54 of 138–
See North Carolina’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Carl Snavely
Peaked at Power Program II
Built by
Carl Snavely
National Program II → Power Program II (+15.4)
The fall
Jim Tatum
National Program I → National Program II (−11.5)
Right now
Bill Belichick
in year 2 — too new to place in North Carolina's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)WolfTatumSnavelyHickeyDooleyCrumBrownBuntingFedora19401960198020002020

Every coach

2025–now
Bill Belichickshort tenure
4–8
2024–2024
Freddie Kitchensshort tenure
0–1
2012–2018
Larry Fedoracaretaker
Larry Fedora moved North Carolina from National Program II to National Program I in 7 seasons.
National Program I
45–43
2011–2011
Everett Withersshort tenure
7–6
2007–2010
Butch Daviscaretaker
Butch Davis moved North Carolina from National Program III to National Program II in 4 seasons.
National Program II
28–23
2001–2006
John Buntingcaretaker
John Bunting held North Carolina at National Program I for 6 seasons.
−10.8
27–45
1998–2000
Carl Torbushcaretaker
Carl Torbush held North Carolina at Power Program III for 3 seasons.
Power Program III
16–18
1988–2024
Mack Browncaretaker
Mack Brown moved North Carolina from National Program I to Power Program III in 16 seasons.
−8.4
113–79
1978–1987
Dick Crumbuilder
Dick Crum raised North Carolina from National Program II to Power Program II.
+14.6
72–41
1967–1977
Bill Dooleycaretaker
Bill Dooley moved North Carolina from National Program III to National Program II in 11 seasons.
National Program II
69–53
1959–1966
James Hickeycaretaker
James Hickey held North Carolina at National Program II for 8 seasons.
National Program II
36–45
1953–1955
George Barclaycaretaker
George Barclay held North Carolina at National Program I for 3 seasons.
−10.1
11–18
1945–1952
Carl Snavelybuilder
Carl Snavely raised North Carolina from National Program II to Power Program II.
+15.4
44–33
1944–1944
Gene McEvershort tenure
1–7
1943–1943
Tom Youngshort tenure
6–3
1942–1958
Jim Tatumcaretaker
Jim Tatum held North Carolina at National Program I for 4 seasons.
−11.5
19–17
1936–1941
Raymond Wolfcaretaker
Raymond Wolf held North Carolina at Power Program III for 6 seasons.
Power Program III
38–17