Bill Belichick was a surprising hire by the North Carolina Tar Heels in December, but he has been making a strong effort to turn the program around by recruiting aggressively and assembling an experienced staff.
Anticipation has built to the point that the Tar Heels have been granted a primetime slot in Week 1—highlighting Belichick’s highly anticipated debut as a college head coach.
Belichick, Tar Heels to Open Season in Primetime
What better way for North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick to introduce himself to college football than in primetime?
On Thursday, North Carolina announced its season opener will be played at night on Monday, Sept. 1, against the TCU Horned Frogs. All eyes will be on the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach as he makes his college coaching debut.
Belichick reportedly had interest from NFL teams but was hired as the Tar Heels’ head coach before the conclusion of the NFL season.
He has been fully committed to the role, evident by his presence on the recruiting trail and in assembling a coaching staff with extensive NFL experience. His staff includes offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens, a former Cleveland Browns head coach; Steve Belichick, his son and New England Patriots defensive play-caller for four seasons; and quarterbacks coach Matt Lombardi, a former Las Vegas Raiders offensive assistant.
Additional hires may be made in the near future.
Belichick also brought in longtime NFL executive Michael Lombardi, who was named the general manager of Tar Heel football. Lombardi has held numerous front-office positions in the NFL and previously worked for Belichick as an assistant to the coaching staff with the Patriots from 2014 to 2016.
Belichick Faces Tall Task in Turning Around Tar Heels’ Defense
The Tar Heels’ 2025 season is their most highly anticipated in recent history—and for good reason. The arrival of one of the greatest coaches in NFL history brings heightened expectations to the program.
In addition to his six Super Bowl titles as a head coach, Belichick won two more with the New York Giants as a defensive coordinator. His defensive prowess was on full display throughout his tenure with the Patriots, where the team finished in the top five in scoring defense in seven seasons, including four years as the league’s best.
Belichick’s primary challenge will be improving a porous Tar Heels defense that allowed 29.6 points per game last season, ranking 89th in the nation. That included surrendering 70 points at home to James Madison.
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Defensive struggles were a major factor in UNC’s 6-7 record and its inability to win more than three ACC conference games.
Now, the nation will get a first look at how Belichick’s Tar Heels fare in primetime—a must-see Week 1 matchup for college football and NFL fans alike.
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