The North Carolina Tar Heels are accustomed to offseason drama, but nothing comes close to what’s transpired in Chapel Hill since the final whistle on their unfulfilling 2024 season. Following a 6-7 season and a lopsided Fenway Bowl defeat to UConn, UNC has reset in the most dramatic possible way.
The linchpin of that overhaul? The arrival of coaching icon Bill Belichick and the possible rise of redshirt freshman quarterback Bryce Baker.
Can Bill Belichick’s Rebuild Boost North Carolina in 2025?
It’s a combination nobody foresaw and one now at the center of UNC’s 2025 story. Can a rebuilding program get up to speed in time to ascend the power rankings, or is this rebuild back to square one?
To grasp the stakes, one has to go back to 2024—a year in which glimpses of potential were masked by inconsistency and blown chances. UNC ended up 6-7 (3-5 ACC) and finished the year with a demoralizing 27-14 bowl defeat to UConn.
The offense was nearly all about RB Omarion Hampton, who had a beast of a season with 1,660 rushing yards, 373 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns. Aside from him, however, the Tar Heels lacked consistent playmakers. The passing game stalled, and the defense would often bend but not break.
Following the season, veteran head coach Mack Brown retired, and what ensued was one of the most surprising coaching appointments in contemporary college football history.
On December 11, 2024, the Tar Heels officially hired Bill Belichick, marking the NFL legend’s first venture into college football after two decades of dominance with the New England Patriots. The move made national headlines—and raised just as many questions as it answered.
Could Belichick, whose no-nonsense style and schematic wizardry are legendary, take his pro style to the college level? Would he thrive in the challenges of recruiting, NIL, and the transfer portal?
The initial indicators point towards a targeted, systematic rebuild. Belichick has hired an experienced staff: Freddie Kitchens (Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends) and Steve Belichick (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) will staff the sidelines. As a team, they will seek to rebuild UNC’s identity on both offense and defense.
At the center of this reconstruction is highly recruited four-star quarterback Bryce Baker from East Forsyth (NC). 247Sports ranks Baker No. 8 among QBs in the Class of 2025. Baker arrived on campus early and has already started to attract notice for his cool demeanor, keen decision-making, and elite prep resume.
If Gio Lopez doesn’t pan out at UNC keep an eye on True Freshman QB Bryce Baker under Bill Belichick 👀🐏
pic.twitter.com/piTsu69WaB— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) May 12, 2025
In 2024, Baker passed for 3,523 yards, 40 touchdowns, and only five interceptions, completing almost 75% of his attempts. He took East Forsyth to a 13-1 season and became one of the most refined quarterback prospects in the state in years.
But is he ready for ACC football in Year 1?
That’s the million-dollar question. Belichick and Kitchens will balance Baker’s potential well, particularly considering the competition he has in the QB room.
Enter dual-threat quarterback Gio Lopez, a dynamic transfer-in from South Alabama this spring. As a sophomore last year in 2024, Lopez passed for 2,559 yards, rushed for 463, and contributed 25 total scores. He has college experience, athleticism, and a production resume.
Baker might be the future solution, but Lopez can give UNC some instant stability. Particularly as UNC navigates new schemes and tries to find rhythm on offense. As things stand now, the starting spot is still available. And that fight might determine just how strong UNC will be this coming fall.
Baker or Lopez aside, the Tar Heels are dealing with major roster turnover. The biggest void is in the backfield. Replacing Hampton will not be simple, but transfers Darwin Barlow (USC) and Benjamin Hall (Tennessee) should spearhead a running back committee.
The receiver room is promising with J.J. Jones back in the fold and transfers such as Donovan Manuel (FAU) looking to contribute. The O-line is still a project, but adding dual-threat linemen such as Javontez Spraggins (Tennessee) may stabilize things.
On defense, UNC will have to retool after losing leaders Amare Campbell (76 tackles in 2024) and Beau Atkinson (7.5 sacks). Steve Belichick’s system will take time, but incoming sophomore Keeshawn Silver and incoming linebacker Marvin Styles may become building blocks.
North Carolina isn’t quite ready to take on Florida State or Clemson at the top of the ACC yet. However, it’s become one of the most intriguing teams to watch in 2025.
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