March 04, 2019 at 08:59PM
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- The Marching Tar Heels and cheerleaders welcomed the Tar Heel football team into the team's new indoor practice facility on Sunday. The sounds of the band and the cheers from the cheerleaders filled the cavernous new practice facility. It also sent a message to the team and everyone in attendance - a new era of North Carolina football was underway.
The Tar Heels conducted their first practice of the spring season. New head coach Mack Brown shepherded over the practice as the Tar Heels' new coaching staff - headlined by defensive backs coach Dre Bly, offensive coordinator Phil Longo and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman - went to work. New defensive line coach Tim Cross's voice stood out in particular, booming and direct as he coached up his new crop of defensive linemen.
There were also a number of storylines playing out among a changing North Carolina Tar Heels roster. Quarterback Nathan Elliott was in attendance at practice on Sunday, but not as a participant. Instead, he watched on the sidelines with other injured or resting players, members of the media and with friends of the program. Longo worked with the three quarterbacks UNC does have on the roster - freshmen Cade Fortin, Jace Ruder and Sam Howell - as they went through simple drills and eventually worked their way up to doing some 11 on 11 work.
In addition, the defensive side of the ball was bolstered by the return of Aaron Crawford, UNC's anchor on the defensive line. Crawford missed a lot of time last season dealing with various nagging injuries. However, he looked healthy on Sunday and led the defensive linemen as they went through a variety of drills.
The whole practice took place inside the new indoor facility. The team was able to use the new building a little bit at the end of last season. It is certainly an upgrade from practicing in Kenan Stadium. And, it doesn't hurt that the indoor facility is a comfortable temperature as the weather outside dipped into the 40s.
North Carolina has a lot to work on this spring - this is, after all, a team that has won just five games over the past two seasons. But the Tar Heels went to work on Sunday and will continue to work throughout the spring.
Check out this Inside Carolina video above of the team in action. The clip includes footage of new head coach Mack Brown, new coordinators Bateman and Longo, new strength and conditioning coach Brian Hess, new coach Dre Bly, the freshman quarterbacks and more.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- The Marching Tar Heels and cheerleaders welcomed the Tar Heel football team into the team's new indoor practice facility on Sunday. The sounds of the band and the cheers from the cheerleaders filled the cavernous new practice facility. It also sent a message to the team and everyone in attendance - a new era of North Carolina football was underway.
The Tar Heels conducted their first practice of the spring season. New head coach Mack Brown shepherded over the practice as the Tar Heels' new coaching staff - headlined by defensive backs coach Dre Bly, offensive coordinator Phil Longo and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman - went to work. New defensive line coach Tim Cross's voice stood out in particular, booming and direct as he coached up his new crop of defensive linemen.
There were also a number of storylines playing out among a changing North Carolina Tar Heels roster. Quarterback Nathan Elliott was in attendance at practice on Sunday, but not as a participant. Instead, he watched on the sidelines with other injured or resting players, members of the media and with friends of the program. Longo worked with the three quarterbacks UNC does have on the roster - freshmen Cade Fortin, Jace Ruder and Sam Howell - as they went through simple drills and eventually worked their way up to doing some 11 on 11 work.
In addition, the defensive side of the ball was bolstered by the return of Aaron Crawford, UNC's anchor on the defensive line. Crawford missed a lot of time last season dealing with various nagging injuries. However, he looked healthy on Sunday and led the defensive linemen as they went through a variety of drills.
The whole practice took place inside the new indoor facility. The team was able to use the new building a little bit at the end of last season. It is certainly an upgrade from practicing in Kenan Stadium. And, it doesn't hurt that the indoor facility is a comfortable temperature as the weather outside dipped into the 40s.
North Carolina has a lot to work on this spring - this is, after all, a team that has won just five games over the past two seasons. But the Tar Heels went to work on Sunday and will continue to work throughout the spring.
Check out this Inside Carolina video above of the team in action. The clip includes footage of new head coach Mack Brown, new coordinators Bateman and Longo, new strength and conditioning coach Brian Hess, new coach Dre Bly, the freshman quarterbacks and more.
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