TJ Chapman
Lead Columnist, Editor
On December 11, 2024, the North Carolina Tar Heels hired Bill Belichick as their new head coach. Belichick is one of the most decorated coaches in NFL history, winning six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. Can Belichick bring that success to Chapel Hill?
After taking a year off from coaching, Belichick decided he wanted to test the waters in college football. There has been drama that has followed the hiring, such as Belichick hiring his son, Steve, as defensive coordinator. Another source of drama is the report that part of Belichick’s deal is that Steve has been named coach-in-waiting. Essentially solidifying that Steve will be the North Carolina head coach when Bill decides to leave.
There is also the endless reporting of Belichick’s girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. Hudson is an Instagram star who is 48 years younger than Bill. That alone adds to the attention being drawn to Chapel Hill, NC. However, there are rumors of Hudson’s involvement with the team and with decisions involving Belichick. Rumors that Hudson, Belichick and the school have denied. A more defined role for Hudson has been established by UNC.
But after all of the drama is gone, when it’s time to kick off and actually play football, what are the realistic expectations for North Carolina in 2025? The first thing Tar Heel fans need to do is wipe out the belief that Belichick will lead them to a National Championship, at least in the 2025 season.
North Carolina was 6-7 in 2024 and while a large portion of that team is gone, it is unrealistic to expect a complete turnaround in year one. Belichick is one of the best football coaches ever, but it took years of stumbling to get to that point in New England when the Pats took over the NFL.
Gio Lopez, the transfer quarterback from South Alabama, is a good get for Belichick. However, he is not Tom Brady. Brady was what made the Belichick-led Pats who they were. Running back Omarion Hampton, who led the Tar Heels in rushing in 2024, was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the NFL Draft. UNC’s second-leading rusher, Davion Gause, is back. However, Gause is a true sophomore who has only 67 carries for 326 yards and four touchdowns in his career.
The leading returning receiver is junior Kobe Paysour who had 21 catches for 365 yards and no touchdowns. Michigan State transfer Aziah Johnson is a redshirt sophomore who only has 16 catches for 276 yards and two touchdowns. There is not a lot of experience at the receiver position.
The offensive line and tight ends are made up of mostly transfers mixed with players who started all or most of North Carolina’s games last season. The need to get cohesion from the offensive line will be crucial to the Tar Heels season.
On the defensive side of the ball, only three of the top 10 tacklers from 2024 are back. The defense is filled with transfers who will need to mesh with the few returning Tar Heels, like defensive backs Kaleb Cost and Marcus Allen.
Looking at North Carolina’s schedule, the first four games are all non-conference matchups. The opener is at home against TCU, week 2 is at Charlotte who has a new head coach, week 3 is against FCS Richmond and week 4 is at UCF. The Knights are reacquainting themselves with former coach Scott Frost who led UCF to an undefeated season in 2018.
Taking a realistic approach to that schedule the safest bet would be 2-2 heading into ACC play. Then Belichick gets baptized into the ACC with an opening game at home against Clemson. With what the Tigers have returning from the reigning ACC Champs, that game is more than likely a loss.
After a bye week the Tar Heels travel to Berkley to face the Cal Golden Bears on a Friday night. Under normal circumstances this would be a win, but teams traveling across the country for football games in college football have not fared well historically. Chalk this one up to a loss for UNC.
The following week is back home to face Virginia. The Cavaliers have not gotten off to the start they were hoping to under fourth year head coach Tony Elliott. Safe bet is this will be a win for UNC.
Next up is a Friday night game at Syracuse on Halloween. The Orange return a lot of production from the 2024 squad but lose star quarterback Kyle McCord. McCord was vital to Syracuse’s 2024 success and his loss will benefit North Carolina. Give the boys in blue the win in this game.
A home game against Stanford and a road game at Wake Forest are up next and can safely be looked at as wins for North Carolina. Both teams have new coaches, did not fare well in 2024 and that cross country travelling issue will cause problems for Stanford.
Senior Day will be against the rival Duke Blue Devils. Under second year head coach Manny Diaz the Tar Heels might find themselves in a dog fight here. This is a toss-up in my opinion but I’ll give the W to the Blue Devils.
The 2025 finale is a road game at NC State, where the Wolfpack will be looking to extend their win streak against UNC to five games. This is a late season game, both teams will be beat up, and it’s a rivalry game. So anything can happen. But NC State head coach Dave Doeren seems to have the Tar Heels number lately and the Wolfpack will extend that winning streak to five.
A 7-5 first season for Bill Belichick would be a win for most coaches. But for someone who is looked at as one of the best football coaches ever that may not seem like a successful year. What needs to be taken into account is the fact that Belichick is used to men who are already out of college. He’s going to be facing a whole new set of problems at the collegiate level.
Belichick will now have to deal with recruiting, the UNC Administration, donors, parents and young men who may not be as mature physically nor mentally as he’s used to. Don’t bet the farm on a playoff appearance for North Carolina. I wouldn’t bet on an appearance in the ACC Championship Game either. Building a winner takes time and even one of the best ever will need some patience from all involved to get the Tar Heels into the playoffs.
