The anticipation surrounding Bill Belichick’s first season as North Carolina’s head coach is unmatched heading into 2025. The biggest question on everyone’s mind isn’t whether he can coach—his résumé and collection of Super Bowl rings speak for themselves—but rather how his transition from the NFL to the college level will play out.
In one of The Athletic’s recent mailbags, a fan raised that very question, wondering how the Belichick era has taken shape since the start of spring practice.
“It’s too early to definitively know how things are going in Chapel Hill, but spring ball has started and Bill Belichick has officially filled out his coaching staff,” The Athletic’s Grace Raynor wrote. “So much of UNC’s success… hinges on UNC’s defense and if the Belichicks can clean it up.
“UNC had explosive offenses under Mack Brown but could never match that output on defense. If there’s anyone who can instill a sense of urgency and discipline in players, it might be Belichick. But I don’t know that the Tar Heels are all of a sudden going to start contending for ACC championships. This feels like a multi-year rebuild.”
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That assessment probably isn’t what UNC fans wanted to hear, but the reality is that the Tar Heels have struggled defensively for years. Last season, they ranked 89th in scoring defense, allowing 28.1 points per game, and 79th in total defense, surrendering 375.8 yards per contest.
Belichick is bringing in his son, Steve Belichick, as North Carolina’s new defensive coordinator. Steve spent last season in the same role at Washington, where the Huskies’ defense ranked 55th in scoring (23.8 points per game) and 28th in total defense (328.4 yards per game). If UNC is going to turn the corner, it starts with defensive improvement—and Tar Heels fans are hoping Steve has learned plenty from his father, widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive minds in football history.
Predicting Belichick’s first season in Chapel Hill is nearly impossible. His reputation alone makes him one of the most intriguing hires in college football history, and whether UNC can quickly adapt to his methods remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—everyone will be watching.
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