UNC defensive coordinator Steve Belichick during a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 inside the Kenan Football Center.
Rodd Baxley/The Fayetteville Observer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The North Carolina football program is currently gearing up for the upcoming 2026 college football season, which is slated to get underway in just over two weeks. The Tar Heels are looking for their first true taste of success in the Bill Belichick era, with the legendary former New England Patriots head coach's tenure having been an embarrassment thus far.
On Thursday, the team got a concerning update on Bill's son Steve Belichick, who is the defensive coordinator for North Carolina.
“North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is not expected to be with the team to open the season Saturday in Dublin versus TCU, sources tell On3 and Inside Carolina. The son of head coach Bill Belichick, Steve Belichick has been on indefinite medical leave since early August,” reported Pete Nakos of On3 Sports on X, formerly Twitter.
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At this point, it is unclear what medical issue Belichick is dealing with or how long it has been going on, but it is serious enough for him to miss multiple weeks leading up to the season.
Nakos also reported that “Bill Belichick and defensive line coach Bob Diaco have collaborated on defensive game prep, with Belichick expected to handle play-calling duties.”
Bill Belichick is hoping that 2026 will be the year that the Tar Heels experience their first taste of success since he arrived in town. They are set to travel to Dublin, Ireland to kick off their season against the TCU Horned Frogs on August 29 at 12:00 pm ET, before returning home for a game against East Tennessee State.