| Year: | 1979 |
| Team: | North Carolina Tar Heels |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Atlantic Coast Conference |
| Short Conf: | ACC |
| Coachrank: | 14 |
| Aprank: | 15 |
| Record: | 8–3–1 |
| Conf Record: | 3–3 |
| Head Coach: | Dick Crum |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Captain: | Buddy Curry |
| Stadium: | Kenan Memorial Stadium |
| Champion: | Gator Bowl champion |
| Bowl: | Gator Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | W 17–15 vs. Michigan |
The 1979 North Carolina Tar Heels football team was an American football team that represented the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second year under head coach Dick Crum, the Tar Heels complied an overall record of 8–3–1, with a conference record of 3–3, and finished fifth in the ACC.
The following players were drafted into professional football following the season.
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | Franchise |
| Buddy Curry | Linebacker | 2 | 36 | |
| Doug Paschal | Running back | 5 | 121 | |
| Phil Farris | Wide receiver | 11 | 297 | |