Overview
- Speaking to reporters Tuesday before the first spring practice, Bill Belichick declined to discuss his Pro Football Hall of Fame miss and said he is focused on getting North Carolina football to a higher level.
- Belichick said Bobby Petrino will run and call the offense after UNC finished near the bottom of the ACC last season in scoring and total yardage.
- UNC’s roster is heavily rebuilt for Year Two, with roughly 60 newcomers and nearly 40 freshmen as Belichick leans on player development over large transfer‑portal intake.
- Quarterback turnover is significant, with Gio Lopez, Max Johnson, and Bryce Baker gone and transfers Billy Edwards Jr., Myles O’Neill, and Taron Dickens plus freshman Travis Burgess in the mix, though some are injured or not practicing this spring.
- The Tar Heels open the 2026 season in Dublin against TCU, while national outlets range from straight recaps of Belichick’s comments to pointed critiques of the Hall voting process and coverage of off‑field attention, underscoring the scrutiny around his second season.