{"id":151229,"date":"2022-12-07T23:42:04","date_gmt":"2022-12-07T23:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/offensive-coordinator-phil-longo-leaving-unc-for-wisconsin\/"},"modified":"2022-12-07T23:42:04","modified_gmt":"2022-12-07T23:42:04","slug":"offensive-coordinator-phil-longo-leaving-unc-for-wisconsin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/offensive-coordinator-phil-longo-leaving-unc-for-wisconsin\/","title":{"rendered":"Offensive Coordinator Phil Longo Leaving UNC for Wisconsin"},"content":{"rendered":"
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CHAPEL HILL, NC — North Carolina offensive coordinator Phil Longo<\/b> is leaving UNC to take the same position at Wisconsin, sources confirm to Inside Carolina<\/em>. The news was first reported by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic<\/em>. Over the last four seasons, Longo has led some of the most productive and explosive offenses in school history, under quarterback Sam Howell from 2019-2021 and ACC Player of the Year Drake Maye in 2022.<\/p>\n

Longo arrived at North Carolina after two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Ole Miss and three seasons in the same role at Sam Houston State before that.<\/p>\n

Longo was hired by head coach Mack Brown ahead of the 2019 season and was tasked with implementing his Air Raid offense and a power running game. Howell, a true freshman, won the starting quarterback job in training camp. In 2019, Longo’s offense averaged 474 yards per game, which ranked third on UNC’s single-season list and 12th nationally. The offense’s 33.1 points per game ranked fifth on UNC’s single-season list, 30th nationally, and second in the ACC. <\/span><\/p>\n

Carolina ranked second in the ACC, fifth in the Power 5, and ninth nationally in plays of 20+ yards with 90. <\/span><\/p>\n

Under Longo’s guidance, Howell set UNC freshman records in completions (259), attempts (422), passing yards (3.641), and passing touchdowns (38). Howell’s 38 touchdown passes were the most by a true freshman in FBS history, the second most by a freshman (true or redshirt) in ACC history, ranked third on the ACC’s single-season chart, and ranked fourth nationally. He led the ACC in both passing yards and touchdowns. <\/span><\/p>\n

The running back combination of Michael Carter and Javonte Williams in 2019 each produced at least 1,000 all-purpose yards, making UNC one of just eight schools nationally and one of only three Power 5 teams to have two running backs accomplish the feat. Meanwhile, the receiving trio of Dyami Brown, Dazz Newsome, and Beau Corrales combined for 28 touchdowns, which tied for the third most by a trio in the nation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Former UNC offensive coordinator Phil Longo. (Photo: Jim Hawkins\/Inside Carolina)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

North Carolina’s 2020 offense was even more prolific. <\/span>Longo’s 2020 unit set a number of school records and was one of the most explosive offenses in ACC history. The unit averaged 537.2 yards per game and 41.7 points per game, both UNC records. The 537.2 ypg ranked fifth all-time in the ACC and the 41.7 ppg rank ninth. On the season, the total yards were fifth nationally and first in the ACC, while the points were ninth nationally and second in the ACC. The 6,447 total yards and the 500 total points rank second on UNC’s single-season list.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a sophomore Howell threw for 3,586 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 68.1 percent of this passes. Howell’s passing yards ranked fourth nationally and his 30 touchdown passes ranked sixth. Howell ranked fourth nationally at 15.1 yards per completion. Howell’s 68 touchdown passes over his first two seasons set the ACC record for most touchdown passes through a sophomore season.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The running game was explosive in 2020 with both Carter and Williams earning All-ACC and All-American honors. <\/span><\/span>Carter carried the ball 156 times for 1245 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022. He averaged 8.0 yards per carry and 113.2 yards per game. Williams carried the ball 157 times for 1140 yards and 19 touchdowns, He averaged 7.3 yards per game and 103.6 yards per game.<\/p>\n

Wide receiver Dyami Brown thrived in Longo’s deep Air Raid passing attack. As a sophomore in 2019 he caught 51 passes for 1034 yards and 12 touchdowns and followed that with 55 catches, 1099 yards, and eight touchdowns as a junior in 2020.<\/p>\n

In 2021, the offense leaned heavily on Howell, wide receiver Josh Downs, and transfer running back Ty Chandler. Despite the departure of four NFL Draft picks, the Tar Heels posted 35.2 ppg (19th NCAA\/3rd ACC) and 468.2 ypg (10th NCAA\/3rd ACC), while leading the ACC (17th NCAA) in rushing yards with 2,763. It marks the second consecutive season that UNC led the ACC in rushing yards. With another 1,000-yard receiver and two 1,000-yard rushers, Longo’s offense has produced the most 1,000-yard rushers nationally over the last three seasons with five and is tied for second nationally with four 1,000-yard receivers.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2022, North Carolina’s offense featured a new quarterback for the first time under Longo, in redshirt freshman Drake Maye. It continued to be extremely successful. UNC’s offense finished No. 15 in the nation (No. 2 in the ACC) with 473.6 yards per game. It was the No. 9 best passing offense (No. 1 in the ACC) in the nation with 317.2 passing yards per game and 35 passing touchdowns. Maye led the ACC in all major passing categories included completion percentage (67.2), passing yards (4115), passing touchdowns (35), and passing yards per game (316.5). Maye and Downs both earned First-Team All-ACC honors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n