Belichick faces challenges in first year as UNC football coach

This collection of stories explores the challenges and disputes surrounding Bill Belichick's first year coaching UNC football.

Belichick's hiring included scrutiny over his record-breaking contract and the makeup of his coaching staff, including his sons. His relationship with Jordon Hudson repeatedly surfaced in the media, drawing attention in a television interview and a comedy skit.

Pressure mounted with player departures such as Amare Campbell entering the transfer portal, and tensions at UNC surfaced through faculty emails challenging the university’s major increase in football spending. HBO’s "Hard Knocks" reportedly targeted UNC for a season, further intensifying the program’s exposure, while debate continued about assistant coach salaries and staff selection.

Read the stories below.

Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, right, wearing a cutoff jacket, shakes hands with Bill Belichick, center, one of the most accomplished NFL head coaches, as Chancellor Lee Roberts, left, applauds during a press conference at Kenan Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. The event marked Belichick’s official introduction as the new head football coach for UNC-Chapel Hill. By Travis Long

NO. 1: UNC FOOTBALL ROLLS OUT WELCOME MAT FOR COACH BILL BELICHICK AMID FANFARE AT KENAN STADIUM

The University of North Carolina’s board of trustees approved the terms of Belichick’s employment during a closed session Thursday — UNC announced Wednesday that Belichick would have a five-year contract. | Published December 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chip Alexander

New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick holds up his father’s Carolina sweatshirt during a press conference announcing his hiring at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence at UNC in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. By Ethan Hyman

NO. 2: UNC FOOTBALL, HEAD COACH BILL BELICHICK TO APPEAR ON HBO SERIES ‘HARD KNOCKS,’ REPORTS SAY

When the series features North Carolina, it will mark the first time “Hard Knocks” has collaborated with a college football program. | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Staff report

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick twirls his whistle as he watches his players stretch during the Tar Heels’ Spring practice on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Chapel Hill N.C. By Robert Willett

NO. 3: UNC FOOTBALL COACH BILL BELICHICK IN HIS ELEMENT AS TAR HEELS CRANK UP SPRING PRACTICE

Coaching college players is new for the former NFL coach and Super Bowl winner, who says developing a team is a “long journey.” | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chip Alexander

NO. 4: HOW MUCH WILL BILL BELICHICK’S UNC FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF BE PAID IN 2025?

The Tar Heels’ staff of assistant coaches includes defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, the coach’s son, and offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens. | Published April 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chip Alexander

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick arrives for his first press briefing on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill N.C. By Robert Willett

NO. 5: IF BILL BELICHICK IS LOOTING UNC, IT’S EXACTLY WHAT THE UNIVERSITY ASKED HIM TO DO

North Carolina decided to throw money at its football problem. Bill Belichick is spending it. If he decided to share the wealth with friends and family, who’s to say he’s wrong? | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Luke DeCock

North Carolina linebacker Amare Campbell (17) works to stop Campbell University’s Chris McKay Jr. (11) on Saturday, November 4. 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. By Robert Willett

NO. 6: STANDOUT DEFENSIVE PLAYER ENTERS TRANSFER PORTAL TO LEAVE UNC FOOTBALL

Having recorded 6.5 sacks and 76 tackles in a productive sophomore season, Amare Campbell enters NCAA transfer portal to leave UNC football. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Steve Wiseman Shelby Swanson

UNC’s Greg Ellis, top, and Nate Hobgood-Chittick, bottom left, sack N.C. State quarterback Jamie Barnette in 1997. By Robert Willett

NO. 7: WHAT NEW NC SPORTS HALL OF FAMERS ELLIS, JONES THINK ABOUT BELICHICK, NIL ERA

Ellis, a former UNC football All-America, says he expects Bill Belichick to succeed as Heels coach and get program moving in ‘right direction.’ | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chip Alexander

Jordon Hudson, girlfriend of UNC football coach Bill Belichick, adjusts his coat during UNC football’s Practice Like a Pro open practice at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, April 12, 2025. By Ethan Hyman

NO. 8: SNL PARODIES UNC COACH, JORDON HUDSON IN SKIT WITH ‘BELICHICK LAW’

Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson were mentioned on SNL as questions continue to swirl about their relationship. | Published May 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jadyn Watson-Fisher

UNC football coach Bill Belichick on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, holds his first news conference since he got hired in December. By Robert Willett

NO. 9: BELICHICK SUMS UP HIS UNC FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE THUS FAR: ‘I’VE GOT A LOT TO LEARN’

New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick is meeting with his ACC football peers for the first time as an equal during the league’s annual meetings this week — a break from an at-times tumultuous spring. | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Luke DeCock

North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick directs players during UNC footballÕs Practice Like a Pro open practice at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, April 12, 2025. By Ethan Hyman

NO. 10: BILL BELICHICK ON ‘GOOD MORNING AMERICA.’ WHAT HE SAID ABOUT UNC, JORDON HUDSON

UNC football coach Bill Belichick was asked about Jordon Hudson, who was not present, but primarily discussed his coaching career, including the transition to coaching college football. | Published May 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jadyn Watson-Fisher

North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick talks with athletic director Bubba Cunningham after UNC football’s Practice Like a Pro open practice at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, April 12, 2025. By Ethan Hyman

NO. 11: TENSION ABOUT HIRING BILL BELICHICK, FOOTBALL SPENDING REVEALED IN UNC EMAILS

Another employee shared concerns about the school’s handling of Jordon Hudson, the coach’s 24-year-old girlfriend. | Published June 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jadyn Watson-Fisher

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.