[bears9]

(UWIRE) MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota football team announced Monday that another staff member will be leaving the program - defensive coordinator Everett Withers.

The highest-paid assistant coach in Gophers history, Withers will forego the final two years of his Minnesota contract, worth almost $1 million, and take a similar position with North Carolina.

The Tar Heels are expected to give Withers a slight raise when he takes over for Baltimore Ravens-bound Chuck Pagano, who served as the team's defensive coordinator under head coach Butch Davis.

Withers, who is originally from Charlotte, N.C., worked as an assistant alongside Minnesota coach Tim Brewster in Texas before becoming the defensive backs coach for the Tennessee Titans from 2001-2006.

"I want to thank Tim Brewster for the opportunity he gave me at the University of Minnesota," Withers said. "Though we were unable to accomplish all of our goals, the past year has been an incredibly positive experience overall. With the leadership of coach Brewster and the recruiting gains that were made this year, I think the future is very bright for Gopher football."

Minnesota loses defensive coordinator to UNC - Big Ten Network