Uncertainty on Defense as UNC Prepares for Dublin Opener
Days before North Carolina opens its 2026 season against TCU in Dublin, head coach Bill Belichick said on August 24 that he has no update on his son, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who remains on medical leave. The remarks came five days before the Week 0 matchup at Aviva Stadium, part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
Steve Belichick, in his second season as UNC's defensive coordinator, first missed a media session near the start of preseason practice in late July, with program officials saying he was not feeling well. By August 24, he had been away from practices and meetings for about 18 to 25 days. No return date has been set.
The younger Belichick's absence raises questions about scheme work and in-game decisions, especially given the Tar Heels return only about 32% of their defensive snaps from last season. The 2025 defense ranked around 38th nationally in total defense, allowing about 336.9 yards per game, and finished near 25th in yards per play at around 4.94.
The biggest question remains whether Bill Belichick, with a long record as one of the top defensive coaches and six Super Bowl wins with the Patriots, might step in to call defensive plays. The staff, including Brian Belichick coaching defensive backs and Bob Diaco coaching defensive line, is expected to handle the defense as a group for now.
UNC also faces an off-field gap: general manager Michael Lombardi remains on paid administrative leave after an HR-related investigation that began in late July. The program is dealing with questions on both the operations side and the defensive side so close to Week 0.
At ACC Media Days, Bill Belichick said last year's team lacked chemistry due to sudden turnover after the coaching change. The 2025 Tar Heels finished with a 4-8 record.
Bold Predictions for a Program Against the Narrative
Meanwhile, a separate analysis offers a more optimistic outlook for UNC football entering Year 2 under Belichick. Despite the national narrative, the piece makes three bold predictions for the Tar Heels before they face TCU in Ireland.
First, it predicts UNC will be bowl eligible with Belichick. The team has 60 newcomers, including 40 freshmen, and what appears to be a tougher schedule. However, since the ACC's inception in 1953, UNC has seen five of its 10 coaches post a better record in Year 2. Butch Davis was among them, though his eight wins in 2008 were vacated due to NCAA violations. Belichick's NFL history also shows improvement in second seasons: he led Cleveland to 6-10 then 7-9, and with the Patriots went from 5-11 to 11-5 and a Super Bowl championship.
The second prediction is that freshman Travis Burgess will be UNC's best quarterback. Billy Edwards Jr., a Wisconsin transfer, is the most experienced quarterback on the roster and is set to start the opener, while Texas A&M transfer Miles O'Neill has a strong arm. Burgess, a four-star recruit with a .9156 rating per the 247Sports Composite, is coming off a season-ending knee injury. The Tar Heels have a history of starting talented freshmen at quarterback, including Sam Howell and Drake Maye.
The third prediction is that offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino will lead a top-50 offense. The Tar Heels were the second-worst Power Four offense last season, ranked 129th nationally. Petrino took Arkansas from 105th to 10th in total offense, Texas A&M from 92nd to 48th, and Louisville from 69th to 28th in his prior stops. Running backs Benjamin Hall and Demon June are expected to improve under his system.
Key Returners and a Tough Road Ahead
The Tar Heels enter the 2026 season with 60 newcomers, including 40 freshmen, after bringing in 70 players ahead of their 4-8 debut season. In the preseason ACC media poll, UNC was picked to finish 15th in the 17-team league.
Wide receiver Jordan Shipp and defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude, the reigning ACC sacks leader, are among the key returners hoping to lead a turnaround.