Top UNC football transformations under Belichick's leadership
- NO. 2: UNC FOOTBALL 2025 SCHEDULE: CAN'T MISS GAME. TOUGHEST STRETCH. INTRIGUING OPPONENT
- NO. 7: UNC TO OPEN 2026 FOOTBALL SEASON AGAINST TCU WITH GAME IN IRELAND
- NO. 8: UNC FOOTBALL COACH BILL BELICHICK COMMENTS ON CBS INTERVIEW, JORDON HUDSON
- NO. 9: UNC ENVISIONS STUDENT TAILGATES, ON-CAMPUS BEER GARDEN AS BELICHICK DEBUT NEARS
The articles all focus on major changes within UNC football since Bill Belichick took over as head coach. They track shifts in coaching, strategy, roster management, and program culture at Chapel Hill.
Belichick quickly moved to overhaul the staff by bringing in family members, former Patriots staffers, and trusted associates. His sons Steve and Brian joined the staff in significant roles. Freddie Kitchens, a holdover from the previous regime, earned a promotion and salary increase. Player turnover also accelerated. Some athletes who entered the transfer portal reconsidered and stayed after meeting with Belichick. Others, such as quarterback Ryan Browne, joined from other programs, while several veterans declared for the NFL draft. Belichick stressed a new pro-style model. He described UNC football as resembling the NFL on a smaller scale, emphasizing revenue sharing and a general manager structure. The university committed to large investments in both coaching salaries and player support.
The game day experience is shifting as well. Officials are planning new student tailgates, a beer garden, and concerts to boost fan engagement and school spirit. On the field, Belichick prioritized quarterback evaluation during spring practices. Injuries and departures reshaped the competition as he worked with returning and incoming players. The leadership expectations and strategic adjustments are already showing in the team's approach, scheduling, and preparation.
North Carolina linebacker Amare Campbell (17) works to stop Campbells' Chris McKay Jr. (11) on Saturday, November 4. 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. By Robert Willett
NO. 1: UNC FOOTBALL TRANSFER TRACKER: WITH BROWN-TO-BELICHICK COACH SWAP, WHO'S JOINING TAR HEELS?
The decision to fire Mack Brown on Nov. 26 allowed UNC players to make quick decisions on the NCAA transfer portal, but most waited until a replacement was found to make a decision. | Published December 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chip Alexander
North Carolina defensive backs Jason Thompson (20), Malcolm Ziglar (3) and Ty Adams (11) jump into the student section at the start of the fourth quarter of play against Wake Forest on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. By Robert Willett
NO. 2: UNC FOOTBALL 2025 SCHEDULE: CAN'T MISS GAME. TOUGHEST STRETCH. INTRIGUING OPPONENT
The first season of the Bill Belichick era will begin in prime time on a Monday night. The regular season will conclude with N.C. State on the road. In between? Plenty of intrigue. | Published January 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shelby Swanson
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts gives new North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick a hoodie with cut off sleeves during a press conference at the Loudermilk Center at UNC in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. UNC AD Bubba Cunningham stands to the right. By Ethan Hyman
NO. 3: BILL BELICHICK ON HIS PLANS FOR UNC FOOTBALL: ‘PRO FOOTBALL...ON A MUCH SMALLER SCALE'
NFL legend Bill Belichick is two months into his tenure as North Carolina Tar Heels football coach. He's learning what the sport is about in the current NIL landscape | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chip Alexander
North Carolina coach Bill Belichick twirls his whistle as he watches his players stretch during the Tar Heels' Spring practice on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Chapel Hill N.C. By Robert Willett
NO. 4: UNC FOOTBALL COACH BILL BELICHICK IN HIS ELEMENT AS TAR HEELS CRANK UP SPRING PRACTICE
Coaching college players is new for the former NFL coach and Super Bowl winner, who says developing a team is a "long journey." | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chip Alexander
Dec 28, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Connecticut Huskies quarterback Joe Fagnano (2) runs the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
NO. 5: AFTER FENWAY BOWL FIZZLE, AS THEIR NEW COACH MIGHT SAY: TAR HEELS ARE ON TO BELICHICK
Connecticut thumps undermanned North Carolina 27-14 in Boston to put the final punctuation on the second Mack Brown era at UNC. | Published December 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Luke DeCock
North Carolina coach Bill Belichick arrives for his first press briefing on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C. By Robert Willett
NO. 6: IF BILL BELICHICK IS LOOTING UNC, IT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE UNIVERSITY ASKED HIM TO DO
North Carolina decided to throw money at its football problem. Bill Belichick is spending it. If he decided to share the wealth with friends and family, who's to say he's wrong? | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Luke DeCock
Aug 27, 2022; Dublin, IRELAND; Northwestern Wildcats players walk out onto the field before the Aer Lingus college football series game against Nebraska at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Moran-USA TODAY Sports
NO. 7: UNC TO OPEN 2026 FOOTBALL SEASON AGAINST TCU WITH GAME IN IRELAND
After the teams open the 2025 season at Kenan Stadium in Bill Belichick's first game as UNC coach, North Carolina and TCU will meet again in Ireland to open the 2026 season. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chip Alexander
Jordon Hudson, girlfriend of UNC football coach Bill Belichick (left, in dark blue parka) on the field during UNC football's Practice Like a Pro open practice at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, April 12, 2025. By Ethan Hyman
NO. 8: UNC FOOTBALL COACH BILL BELICHICK COMMENTS ON CBS INTERVIEW, JORDON HUDSON
Belichick said all interviews about his book were supposed to focus solely on the contents of the book. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jadyn Watson-Fisher
The North Carolina Tar Heels enter Kenan Stadium for their game against Charlotte on Saturday, September 7, 2024 in Chapel Hill, N.C. By Robert Willett
NO. 9: UNC ENVISIONS STUDENT TAILGATES, ON-CAMPUS BEER GARDEN AS BELICHICK DEBUT NEARS
The university is also considering adding a commercial sponsor to Kenan Stadium as it looks to generate additional revenue for athletics. | Published May 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Korie Dean Jadyn Watson-Fisher
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
