Gene Chizik is leaving the SEC Network to return to the sidelines. Chizik has been hired at North Carolina as assistant head coach for defense, reuniting with Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown. Chizik was on Brown’s Texas staff as defensive coordinator when the Longhorns won the BCS title in 2005.

ESPN senior vice president of production Lee Fitting released a statement on Chizik’s departure from the SEC Network:

“Gene has been a valued member of our college football coverage since SEC Network’s inaugural season in 2014. Over the past 5 seasons since his return to ESPN, “Coach Chiz” has instilled his passion for the game in his colleagues and our viewers, and we’re all better for it. We wish him the best in his newest chapter at UNC.”

As Fitting referenced, it’s not the first time Chizik has left the SEC Network for UNC. Chizik was with the network in 2014 but took the North Carolina defensive coordinator position for the 2015 season under then-head coach Larry Fedora. Chizik resigned from North Carolina after the 2016 season and returned to the SEC Network.

A former Florida linebacker, Chizik is best known as the head coach of the 2010 Auburn national championship team. He coached at Auburn from 2009-12, notching a 33-19 record.