Everett Withers to become the new DC at FIU

After the sudden resignation of defensive coordinator Brent Guy, Florida International head coach Butch Davis turns to his coaching tree to find a replacement. Former James Madison and Texas State head coach Everett Withers will become the new Panthers’ defensive coordinator.

Guy stepped down yesterday afternoon to tend to family responsibilities.

“We are grateful for all Brent has done for this program over the past two seasons,” said FIU head coach Butch Davis in a press release Tuesday.

“The FIU family wishes Brent and his family the very best for the future,” Davis said.

Following the resignation of Guy, it made sense that Davis would turn to his former coaching tree to find a replacement as quickly as possible.

Withers spent the last three seasons leading Texas State to a 7-28 record, before being dismissed 11 games into the 2018 season. Prior to Texas State, he amassed a record of 18-7, with back-to-back FCS playoff appearances as the head coach of James Madison.

The move reunites Withers with his former boss at North Carolina, where he served as the defensive coordinator under Davis for three seasons.

He’ll also become the third connection from Davis’ time from UNC to join him in Miami. Offensive line coach Allen Modgridge was the Tar Heels’ special teams and tight ends coach, while current cornerbacks coach Bryn Renner was a quarterback under Davis and Withers from 2010-2011.

Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Withers also was the interim head coach for the Tar Heels in 2011, when Davis resigned prior to the start of the football season.

His defenses at UNC were ranked sixth in FBS in total defense and 10th against the run in 2009, followed by a ranking of 30th in FBS football in 2010.