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Former UNC Star Receives Surprise Coaching Job After Sudden Firing

Former UNC standout Ryan Switzer has become the interim head coach at Tulsa.

By Jovan Alford

Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) runs after a catch in the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) runs after a catch in the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. / Jeremy Brevard-Imagn Images
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North Carolina Tar Heel football fans remember standout wide receiver Ryan Switzer, one of the best pass catchers in the ACC in 2015 and 2016. In his senior year, Switzer posted career highs in receptions (96), and receiving yards (1,102). He also had six touchdowns.

Over his four-year career, Switzer had 19 receiving and seven punt return touchdowns, making him one of the more dynamic playmakers in the county. Switzer parlayed that into being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

The two-time All-American played three seasons in the NFL after retiring in July 2022. The former UNC star returned to the college game, taking over as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Tulsa in 2023.

With the 2024 regular season wrapping up, Switzer is getting a surprising promotion. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Switzer accepted the interim head coaching position after Tulsa fired head coach Kevin Wilson on Sunday morning.

Wilson struggled in his two-year tenure with the Golden Hurricane, sporting a mediocre 7-16 record. On Saturday, Tulsa got blown out by the USF Bulls 63-30. The Golden Hurricanes are 3-8 and 1-6 in AAC play.

For Switzer, this is a huge opportunity to show Tulsa’s athletic department that he could be the guy to get the school back on track.

At only 30 years old, the former UNC star has impressed the school in his second year. The Golden Hurricane will finish the regular season next week against Florida Atlantic.

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