UNC Opens Belichick's Year 2 Under $50 Million Deal After 4-8 Debut
Updated
Updated · WRAL News · Aug 28
UNC Opens Belichick's Year 2 Under $50 Million Deal After 4-8 Debut
3 articles · Updated · WRAL News · Aug 28
Summary
North Carolina opens its 2026 season against TCU in Dublin with Bill Belichick under heavier pressure after a 4-8 first year that included four three-score losses and a 48-14 opener defeat to the Horned Frogs.
Off-field disruptions still shadow the program: general manager Michael Lombardi is on paid administrative leave, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is on medical leave, and kicker Rece Verhoff remains unavailable while NCAA eligibility litigation continues.
Belichick spent the offseason overhauling the roster and staff, bringing in 40 true freshmen, naming sixth-year transfer Billy Edwards Jr. at quarterback, and adding offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino to revive a unit that finished last in the ACC in total offense.
More roster continuity could help after last year's hastily assembled team lacked enough familiarity for summer player-run practices, though UNC now faces a tougher schedule and immediate test from TCU quarterback Jaden Craig, who threw 48 touchdowns over the past two seasons at Harvard.