CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Larry Fedora has finalized his coaching hires with the addition of former Tennessee running backs coach Robert Gillespie, multiple sources confirmed to Inside Carolina.

Gillespie, who spent five years as running backs coach in Knoxville, was initially retained by new Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt in December. He was let go on Feb. 13, less than a week after National Signing Day.

Gillespie was hired by Butch Jones at Tennessee in 2013 and added recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach to his titles in 2015. The 38-year-old coached a pair of 1,000-yard rushers during his time with the Volunteers in Jalen Hurd and Rajion Neal, as well as 2017 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara. He worked alongside current UNC safeties coach Tommy Thigpen for all five of his seasons in Knoxville.

A standout running back for the Florida Gators (1998-01), Gillespie has coached at the Power 5 level throughout his entire college coaching career. He’s also coached running backs at South Carolina, Oklahoma State and West Virginia. He arrives at UNC with a reputation as a solid recruiter.

Gillespie’s hire allows Fedora to move recent addition Luke Paschall from running backs to wide receivers coach following the departure of Gunter Brewer, who joined the NFL Champion Philadelphia Eagles staff earlier this month.

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