**UNC Fires Offensive Coordinator Freddie Kitchens After Disappointing 2025 Season**
Key Takeaways:
- North Carolina has fired offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens following a lackluster 2025 campaign.
- This move comes amid offensive struggles that saw UNC regress statistically and on the scoreboard.
- Kitchens, a former Cleveland Browns head coach, joined UNC in 2023 and served for two seasons.
Chapel Hill, NC — Former NFL coach Freddie Kitchens is trending after the University of North Carolina officially dismissed him as offensive coordinator following a disappointing 2025 football season, according to multiple reports published within the past 48 hours.
Offensive Shortcomings Lead to Exit
Kitchens was let go after UNC’s offense ranked among the lowest in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in multiple statistical categories during the 2025 season. The Tar Heels finished the year with a 5–7 record, missing bowl eligibility. Head coach Mack Brown confirmed the decision, citing the need for “a new direction offensively.” Kitchens had been hired in January 2023 in hopes of bringing professional pedigree to the program but was unable to spark consistent performance from quarterbacks or the offensive line.
NFL Experience Didn’t Translate
Before joining UNC, Kitchens notably served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2019 after a brief stint as offensive coordinator. Though he was well-regarded for his quarterback development in the NFL, his transition to college coaching did not yield results. In two seasons with the Tar Heels, the offense steadily declined, averaging just 20.1 points per game in 2025—down from 31.6 in 2022 before his arrival. Insiders point to mismatched personnel and lack of development in key skill positions as core issues.
Candidates and Program Outlook
UNC’s next hire for offensive coordinator will be pivotal. The Tar Heels are looking to rebound and stay competitive in the evolving ACC, especially with recent realignments and recruiting battles heating up. The firing may also affect current player commitments and transfer portal considerations. Mack Brown, who is nearing the end of his illustrious coaching career, will be under increased pressure to restore momentum in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is freddie kitchens trending?
A: Because he was fired as UNC’s offensive coordinator following a poor 2025 season.
Q: What happens next?
A: UNC will begin a national search for a new offensive coordinator ahead of spring practices.
#FreddieKitchens
