UNC Fires Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer has been dismissed as North Carolina’s special teams coordinator, sources confirmed Friday morning (first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel). North Carolina finished the 2025 season ranked 12th in the ACC as a punt return team, 14th as a kick return team and 11th in punting. UNC ranked 11th in the opponent kickoff return game and 10th in opponent punt return.

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North Carolina’s special teams struggles were punctuated in the home finale against Duke on two crucial field goal set ups. The Tar Heels drew a roughing the kicker penalty in the first half that allowed Duke to use the extra field position to score a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, UNC fell prey to a fake field goal, allowing the Blue Devils to run the ball inside the two-yard line on the fake and then score a go-ahead touchdown.

The Tar Heels attempted an onside kick in that game as well, but it didn’t make it 10 yards. Earlier in the season, UNC gave up an onside kick to Richmond. North Carolina had two field goals blocked against Wake Forest, and it gave up a fourth down conversion on a fake punt run against N.C. State in the season finale.

Priefer’s dismissal comes at the same time as the release of offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens. UNC confirmed both departures later on Friday morning.

“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes. We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors,” Belichick said in a statement.

Priefer was added to lead UNC’s special teams unit as part of Belichick’s first staff. He came in with NFL experience that dated back to 2002 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Priefer was an assistant special teams coordinator in Jacksonville for one season before taking on the same role for the New York Giants from 2003-05. He spent the rest of his NFL career as the special teams coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs (2006-08), Denver Broncos (2009-10), Minnesota Vikings (2011-18) and Cleveland Browns (2019-22).

Priefer began his coaching career in 1994 as a graduate assistant at Navy after playing quarterback and wide receiver there from 1991-94. After the 1996 season, he coached on Youngstown State’s staff for two seasons as a special teams coordinator, offensive tackles coach and tight ends coach. He made stops at VMI (special teams and linebackers) and Northern Illinois (special teams and defensive tackles) before landing in the NFL in 2002 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

North Carolina finished the season 4-8 in its first year with Belichick at the helm.