CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- North Carolina will complete its final football coaching staff vacancy with the hiring of DeAndre Smith for the running backs position, sources have confirmed.

Smith, who coached running backs at Purdue last season, replaces Larry Porter, who left UNC earlier this month for Auburn.

Prior to Purdue, Smith's recent stops as running backs coach have included Syracuse (2013-15, New Mexico (2012, 2008), Illinois (2010-11) and UNLV (2009).

Smith played college football with Chris Kapilovic, UNC's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Smith was an All-American quarterback at Missouri State in 1990, the same year Kapilovic was an all-conference lineman for the team.

With the departure of its top three running backs from a year ago - comprising 93 percent of the team's running back carries - North Carolina will feature a new ground game in 2017. The depth chart includes transfer Stanton Truitt, sophomore Jordon Brown, and freshmen Michael Carter and Antwuan Branch.