According to reports, Urban Meyer has hired current interim head coach at UNC Everett Withers to be on his staff in Columbus.
The situation that Withers and Fickell found themselves in this year were extremely similar. Like Fickell, Withers inherited a program plagued with sanctions and uncertainty. Despite such tough circumstances, Withers still led the Tar Heels to a 7-5 record and another bowl game.
Rumors have swirled of a possible co-defensive coordinator relationship between Fickell and Withers. If this happens to be true, it will end all speculation around Mike Stoops.
Meyer has an excellent eye for talent, and Withers is a great hire. The North Carolina native has held major roles on a few college programs and even some significant coaching positions at the NFL level.
Some of his more noteworthy past positions were defensive coordinator at Minnesota and defensive coordinator at UNC. Withers also worked as the defensive backs coach for the Tennessee Titans from 2001-2006.
Withers brings an immense amount of coaching experience to the secondary, while Fickell’s forte is coaching linebackers and defensive linemen. The two seem to be a perfect match and have the potential to field a vaunted defense year in and year out.
