North Carolina hires Coiner to replace Blake

By foxsports
Published

North Carolina has hired former Buffalo Bills assistant Charlie Coiner to replace John Blake, the Tar Heels' associate head coach who resigned amid an ongoing NCAA investigation.

Coach Butch Davis said Wednesday that Coiner will work with the defensive line and special teams, though fellow assistant Art Kaufman and defensive coordinator will continue to work with the ends and tackles until Coiner settles in fully.

Davis says Coiner started work Tuesday as the Tar Heels prepare for Georgia Tech in this weekend's home opener.

Blake resigned Sept. 5, saying his presence had become a distraction. The NCAA probe into agent-related benefits and possible academic misconduct had also reviewed Blake's longtime friendship with California-based agent Gary Wichard (whi-SHARD').