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Updated 12:03 AM Thursday, December 22, 2011

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina interim coach Everett Withers is heading to Ohio State to become Urban Meyer's co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

Withers acknowledged he was a candidate to join the Meyer's new staff last week and confirmed it was a done deal Wednesday.

"We've known each other for a couple years," Withers said of Meyer. "A few years ago we talked when the Florida defensive coordinator job came open. So we've got a little bit of a past and I'm looking forward to the future with coach Meyer."

A few hours later, Ohio State announced that it had hired Withers.

"Everett is extremely well respected across the country," Meyer said in a statement. "I've known about him for a number of years and followed his progress as a college and NFL assistant coach. He will be a great fit for this staff and I think he and Luke (Fickell) are going to work well together as the co-coordinators of our defense."

Withers has been a college coach for 17 years and has also worked seven seasons in the National Football League, including six years (2001-06) as defensive backs coach with the Tennessee Titans under Jeff Fisher.

He led North Carolina to a 7-5 record this season after taking over in July for Butch Davis, who was fired amid an NCAA investigation.

Withers will coach the Tar Heels through their Independence Bowl against Missouri on Dec. 26, and soon after head to Columbus to start his new job. North Carolina hired Larry Fedora away from Southern Mississippi to be the Heels coach after the Golden Eagles play in the Hawaii Bowl against Nevada on Dec. 24.

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