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Why UNC Needs a Quarterback Change Now

Whether it's Max Johnson or Au'tori Newkirk, something needs to change for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
North Carolina offenisve coordinator Freddie Kitchens
North Carolina offenisve coordinator Freddie Kitchens | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

On this episode of the Tar Heels Insider Podcast, beat writer Grant Chachere discusses why North Carolina should explore a quarterback change no matter who it is.

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

Here is a partial transcript from Jordan Shipp's postgame presser after Wake Forest.

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 15, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Benjamin Hall (28) runs with the ball against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. | Wake Forest Athletics via 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 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 (Barylon 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?

UN
Nov 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Davion Gause (37) celebrates with wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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
Oct 31, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) warms up before a game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

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 back. 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.

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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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