This collection of reporting from the News & Observer follows Bill Belichick’s path from NFL legend to his early days as North Carolina’s football coach. Belichick signed his contract at UNC, ending speculation about a return to the NFL and securing a five-year, $50 million deal.
Stories recount his first practices in Chapel Hill, such as the spring session where players wore no jersey numbers, and introduce his coaching staff, including Steve and Brian Belichick. The articles track how Belichick manages the transfer portal, prepares for a 2026 opener in Ireland against TCU, and appears on national television to discuss his transition.
Read the stories below.
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
2017: Bill Belichick celebrates after Super Bowl LI where the New England Patriots vs The Atlanta Falcon at NRG Stadium, Houston. By Bob Breidenbach
NO. 2: BILL BELICHICK ON UNC FOOTBALL HEAD COACHING JOB DISCUSSIONS: ‘WE’LL SEE HOW IT GOES’
Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who won six Super Bowls as a head coach, said Monday he’s discussed the UNC Tar Heels head coaching job with the school’s chancellor. | Published December 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by acarter@newsobserver.comAndrew Carter
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2015. By Mark J. Rebilas
NO. 3: UNC TO HIRE BILL BELICHICK AS NEXT FOOTBALL COACH. TAKE A LOOK AT HIS STORIED CAREER THROUGH PHOTOS
Here’s a look at the career of six-time Super Bowl champion and future North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick. | Published December 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by ehyman@newsobserver.comEthan Hyman
Recently hired North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick acknowledges the crowd as he is introduced during halftime of the Tar Heels’ men’s basketball game against La Salle on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. By Kaitlin McKeown
NO. 4: UNC FOOTBALL COACH BILL BELICHICK SIGNS CONTRACT, PUTTING END TO SPECULATION ABOUT FUTURE
Bill Belichick was introduced as UNC’s coach last month, on Dec. 11. He had not signed his contract, though, until this week. | Published January 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andrew Carter
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. 5: 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. 6: 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
New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick listens to a question during a press conference announcing his hiring at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence at UNC in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. By Ethan Hyman
NO. 7: UNC FOOTBALL STAFF UNDER HEAD COACH BILL BELICHICK TAKES SHAPE AS SPRING FOOTBALL BEGINS
Former NFL head coach Freddie Kitchens is the Tar Heels’ offensive coordinator, and Steve Belichick will be the defensive coordinator for his father. | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chip Alexander
North Carolina football head coach Bill Belichick watches during UNC’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 CAPS SPRING SESSION WITH ‘PRACTICE LIKE A PRO’ DAY
North Carolina football held its final spring practice in front of fans on the newly turfed grass field at Kenan Stadium. | Published April 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chip Alexander
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. 9: 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
North Carolina coach Bill Belichick talks about the Tar Heels’ game against TCU in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, during a press briefing on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. By Robert Willett
NO. 10: WHY BILL BELICHICK IS ALREADY EAGER TO TAKE UNC FOOTBALL TO IRELAND IN 2026
The NFL legend has yet to coach a game for the North Carolina Tar Heels but he’s already looking forward to opening the 2026 season against TCU in Dublin, Ireland. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shelby Swanson
UNC football coach Bill Belichick on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, holds his first news conference since he got hired in December. By Robert Willett
NO. 11: BELICHICK SUMS UP HIS UNC FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE THUS FAR: ‘I’VE GOT A LOT TO LEARN’
New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick is meeting with his ACC football peers for the first time as an equal during the league’s annual meetings this week — a break from an at-times tumultuous spring. | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Luke DeCock
North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick directs players during UNC footballÕs Practice Like a Pro open practice at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, April 12, 2025. By Ethan Hyman
NO. 12: BILL BELICHICK ON ‘GOOD MORNING AMERICA.’ WHAT HE SAID ABOUT UNC, JORDON HUDSON
UNC football coach Bill Belichick was asked about Jordon Hudson, who was not present, but primarily discussed his coaching career, including the transition to coaching college football. | Published May 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by 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.