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How James Franklin's Hire Affects UNC, Rest of ACC

On this episode of the Tar Heels Insider Podcast, beat writer Grant Chachere breaks down how Virginia Tech's hiring of James Franklin affects UNC and its future.
Oct 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin stands on the field following the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium.
Oct 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin stands on the field following the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

On this episode of the Tar Heels Insider Podcast, beat writer Grant Chachere breaks down how Virginia Tech's hiring of James Franklin affects UNC and its future.

To hear what Grant had to say, check out the video below.

Here is a partial transcript from wide reciver Jodan Shipp's media availability following UNC's 28-12 loss to Wak Forest on Nov. 15

Your offense had some good field position and made a few plays, including a field goal and a touchdown. What was Wake Forest's defense doing to make things difficult for you? On the other hand, was there anything your team could have done to generate more offensive success?

UN
Nov 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Nothing, just self-inflicted wounds. That's all it is, man, self-inflicted wounds. And that's something that, like, we got to own up to. I got to own up to it myself. And, you know, a couple missed things and off like they did, of course. They're a great team, great defense. They played full score. 

They played hard. You know, another first step for those guys over there. 11 (Langston Hardy) is a great player. 5 (Davaughn Patterson) is a great player. You know, 23 (Braylon Johnson), Wake Forest had a lot of great players the other end. But, I mean, I feel like we just was killing ourselves tonight. 

I hear what you're saying, but do you think that self-inflicted wounds when you don't score a touchdown is sort of oversimplifying the problems?

Bill Belichick
Head Coach Bill Belichick; Sept. 13, 2025 | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

I mean, of course, that could be a thing. It could be a bunch of different things. I mean, just like I said, just self inflicted wounds. Tell it goes back to, you know, and once we get back, we look at the iPads, we're like, damn, very messed up here. I mean, it's just like I said, self inflicted wounds. 

And of course, there could have been some stuff they were doing to trigger those wounds, you know, like, I mean, there's a bunch of different things that they were doing. Like I said, they were well coached team, a very physical team. So, I mean, they just, they just outplayed us. They beat

Do you think at this point that you guys need to shake some things up on offense, whether it's a quarterback or another position?

UNC
North Carolina offenisve coordinator Freddie Kitchens | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

Nah, man. I mean, like I said, we're killing ourselves. It's not, it's not Gio's fault. It's not the center's fault, guards fault, the tackles, receivers, running backs. It's just everybody's taking their turns on “my bad.” One “my bad” ruins the whole play. You have, what? Three my bads on a drive. 

That's 20 something “my bads” throughout the game, you know? That's 20-some plays down the drain, you know. So, I mean, like I said, it's not one person, it's the overall team. You know, Coach McGee says 11 is one. We're all moving as one. 11 is one.


Published
Grant Chachere
GRANT CHACHERE

Grant Chachere holds a B.A. in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University and has a passion for college sports. He has served as a reporter and beat writer for various outlets, including Crescent City Sports and TigerBait.com. Now, he brings that passion and experience to his role as the North Carolina Tar Heels beat reporter On SI.

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