(AP)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Kyle Flood is plenty familiar with the staff changes North Carolina is undergoing weeks before it meets Rutgers in the Quick Lane Bowl.

A year ago, Flood promoted special teams coordinator Joe Rossi to interim defensive play caller ahead of the Pinstripe Bowl against Notre Dame.

"I think we're ready to expect anything," Flood said Thursday. "This gentleman (Dan Disch) was on the staff, he's got the title of coordinator, so I know he's heavily involved in what they're doing. But now he's running the entire show. When that happens, you have to be ready for anything."

Rossi's interim tag was one of three personnel changes Flood made after a 6-6 record resulted in job-security questions and the first non-winning season since 2010.

UNC head coach Larry Fedora parted ways with defensive coordinator Vic Koenning last week — the team ranked 116th in scoring defense — and promoted Disch, who doubles as cornerbacks coach. 

Kaleb Johnson has high school ties with former recruiter Disch

The Tar Heels run a unique 4-2-5 scheme (similar to West Virginia from the old Big East), which could change under Disch's temporary guidance. UNC has already noticed more aggressiveness from Disch during bowl scrimmages.

Rossi was Rutgers' safeties coach when Flood appointed him Dec. 10, 2013, 18 days before Rutgers took the field against Notre Dame. 

With so many holes on a defense that set a school record for pass yards allowed, Rossi played conservatively. His interim tag was lifted more than a month later.

Could Carlton Agudosi step in if Leonte Carroo can't play?

For coaches that are retained, the period between the regular season and bowl game usually allows for some creativity. 

"What happens is you have a lot of time," Flood said. "You've got real good, smart, creative coaches. If you give those coaches that kind of time, they usually come up with something a little bit different. That's why when you get to bowl season you see a lot of exotic plays. I would expect we will see some from North Carolina."