Bill Belichick press conference video as UNC football starts practice in 2026
Before UNC football kicked off preseason practice in preparation for the 2026 season, head coach Bill Belichick spent 25 minutes with media members to discuss the Tar Heels.
North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is away from the team on medical leave, football coach Bill Belichick announced on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Bill Belichick — Steve Belichick’s father — said his son would return “as soon as possible” when asked whether he will be back in time for the season opener against TCU on Aug. 29 in Dublin, Ireland. Steve Belichick was set to talk to reporters on July 30, but didn’t appear due to feeling sick.
“It’s a medical situation, so I really can’t make any further comment on that,” Bill Belichick said.
Bill Belichick said the staff will collectively coach the defense until Steve Belichick’s return.
Steve Belichick spent his first season in college football as the defensive coordinator at Washington in 2024 under former New England Patriots assistant Jedd Fisch before leaving for the Tar Heels ahead of the 2025 season. Prior to coaching in college, he served in a variety of roles for the Patriots under his dad, most recently as outside linebackers coach from 2020-23.
North Carolina is coming off a disappointing 4-8 season in Bill Belichick’s first year with the program, and ended the year with three consecutive losses to Wake Forest, Duke and North Carolina State after allowing 28, 32 and 42 points in each game, respectively. The Tar Heels do return standout defensive lineman Melkart Abou-Jaoude, however, who finished 2025 with 10½ sacks.
Things haven’t gone to plan for the Tar Heels so far to start fall camp, as general manager Michael Lombardi is also away from the program due to an ongoing HR investigation into his conduct.