In 2016, Fedora led the Tar Heels to an 8–5 (5–3) record. Carolina began the season with a loss to Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta by a score of 33–24. Carolina then reeled off four straight wins, which included an upset win over No. 12 Florida State in Tallahassee by a score of 37–35 after a game-winning field goal as time expired, snapping the Seminoles' 22-game home winning streak. UNC then suffered an embarrassing home loss to Virginia Tech by a score of 34–3. After losing to NC State in the regular season finale, the Tar Heels, who were led by star quarterback Mitch Trubisky, lost in the Sun Bowl to Stanford by a score of 25–23. Following the 2016 season, defensive coordinator Gene Chizik resigned to spend more time with his family in Auburn, Alabama. Fedora promoted linebackers coach John Papuchis to replace Chizik as defensive coordinator. After only winning 5 games in his last two seasons, Fedora was fired.