North Carolina has parted ways with defensive backs coach Dre Bly.

Bly, a Carolina alum, has been coaching in Chapel Hill since 2019. Coach Mack Brown announced the decision in a press released on Wednesday afternoon.

“We all love Dre Bly and appreciate what he means to the University of North Carolina as a Hall of Famer, an unbelievable advocate for the program, and an excellent coach,” Brown said in a release. “Dre and I mutually agreed to part ways so that he could explore other opportunities in the coaching profession. We appreciate everything he’s done for the program over the last few years and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

Brown’s statement also indicated that UNC will begin a national search to fill the position.

North Carolina’s defense has struggled over the past several years. The Tar Heels’ pass defense ranked dead last in the ACC in passer efficiency rating allowed for 2022.

Overall, UNC’s defense also ranked last in the ACC in yards-per-play allowed (6.14) in 2022. The Tar Heels will strive to improve that mark in 2023.

North Carolina finished the 2022 season with a 9-5 record.