North Carolina Adds Keith Heckendorf and Larry Porter to Coaching Staff

(November 27, 2009 – Source: Chris Graythen/Getty Images North America)

Another ACC team boosted their staff as North Carolina closed out their coaching search in the wake of Blake Anderson’s departure, with the addition of Keith Heckendorf and Larry Porter.

Heckendorf was part of the Tar Heels staff for the last 3 years as a player development assistant, but had followed Anderson to Arkansas State as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. When Larry Fedora came calling to bring Heckendorf back to Chapel Hill as quarterbacks coach, he didn’t require much persuading.

Prior to his time with UNC, he was the offensive coordinator at Western Carolina from 2008-10. Prior to his time with the Catamounts, he was an offensive assistant with Nebraska.

Heckendorf was an outstanding quarterback in his own right, finishing in the top 3 of the Harlon Hill Trophy (the DII Heisman) voting twice. He has plenty of experience working with quarterbacks throughout his career, and should use that experience to his, and the Tar Heels, benefit in his new role.

Porter will take over as running backs coach, a job he is more than qualified for. The 39-year old worked at Texas last season, and Arizona State the previous year.

Prior to ASU, he was head coach at Memphis (his alma mater), where he was a surprise hire. He lasted 2 years, fueling his the fire of his detractors with just 3 wins. He was hired for the Memphis job due to his success as running backs coach with another Tigers team – Louisiana State.

At LSU, Porter had a habit of churning out NFL running backs, and more importantly, proved his mettle as a recruiter, a skill he even displayed by pulling in some nice classes to Memphis, and will help bring back some top talent to UNC, once known as “Tailback U”.