UNC hires former Nebraska defensive coordinator Papuchis

Published Feb. 2, 2015 6:55 p.m. ET

foxsports

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) North Carolina has hired former Nebraska defensive coordinator John Papuchis as an assistant coach.

Papuchis coached at LSU under Nick Saban before joining Bo Pelini's staff at Nebraska in 2008, spending the past three seasons as defensive coordinator.

Papuchis joins a staff looking to reshape a defense that gave up more points and yards than any team in program history, including allowing school records of 70 points and 789 yards in a loss at East Carolina.

Last month, the Tar Heels hired former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik as its new defensive coordinator. Head coach Larry Fedora says the 36-year-old Papuchis has ''quickly earned a reputation as an outstanding teacher and recruiter.''

Team spokesman Kevin Best says Papuchis' position assignment has yet to be determined.