CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Gio Lopez combined for three touchdowns and freshman Demon June rushed for 148 yards and a score as North Carolina beat Richmond 41-6 for its first win at Kenan Stadium under coach Bill Belichick. The Tar Heels scored on their first four possessions and jumped to a 20-0 lead in the first half.… Continue Reading
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has started a new chapter as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. After leaving the New England Patriots in January 2024, his relationship with the team has soured. Reports say he banned a Patriots scout from attending practices, Belichick confirmed that on Saturday, stating: “It’s clear I’m not welcomed in their facility, so they aren’t welcomed in ours.” Belichick won his first game with the Tar Heels on Saturday, beating Charlotte 20-3. Despite the win, Belichick deflected praise, emphasizing the team effort. His debut game on Monday ended in a loss to TCU, drawing criticism from detractors.… Continue Reading
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has secured his first win as a college head coach. North Carolina defeated Charlotte 20-3 on a rainy Saturday. Gio Lopez threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Chris Culliver on the first possession. Davion Gause added a 12-yard rushing score. North Carolina’s defense held Charlotte to 271 yards and forced two turnovers. This victory comes after a tough debut loss to TCU, where North Carolina allowed 48 points. Despite early questions about Belichick’s ability to win at this level, the Tar Heels responded with a solid performance. North Carolina will host Richmond next, while Charlotte will face Monmouth.… Continue Reading
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — New North Carolina coach Bill Belichick says his Tar Heels need to move past the TCU blowout loss “as fast as we can” entering a short turnaround before playing at Charlotte. The Horned Frogs beat the Tar Heels 48-14 on Labor Day in Belichick’s college debut. It marked the most points ever given up in an opener for UNC and more than any Belichick-coached team in the NFL ever allowed. The six-time Super Bowl winner as an NFL head coach says the Tar Heels “need to learn some lessons” from the loss but move on to Saturday’s game.… Continue Reading
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bud Clark had a first-half pick-six and Kevorian Barnes had a 75-yard touchdown run on the first second-half snap to help TCU spoil Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut by rolling past North Carolina 48-14 on Monday night. The 73-year-old Belichick had won six Super Bowl titles in a 24-year run as head coach of the NFL’s New England Patriots. His Tar Heels scored on the first possession but TCU took over with 41 unanswered points. That included Devean Deal joining Clark with a defensive touchdown on a fumble return in a third quarter that turned the game into a romp.… Continue Reading
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bud Clark had a first-half pick-six and Kevorian Barnes had a 75-yard touchdown run on the first second-half snap to help TCU spoil Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut by rolling past North Carolina 48-14 on Monday night. The 73-year-old Belichick had won six Super Bowl titles in a 24-year run as head coach of the NFL’s New England Patriots. His Tar Heels scored on the first possession but TCU took over with 41 unanswered points. That included Devean Deal joining Clark with a defensive touchdown on a fumble return in a third quarter that turned the game into a romp.… Continue Reading
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina is set for its football debut under Bill Belichick. The Tar Heels open the season Monday against TCU. That will mark the first game at the college level for Belichick after spending his entire coaching career in the NFL. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there. Now he’s recruiting high school players and meeting with school donors. It’s all part of a bet by UNC that the 73-year-old college rookie can elevate its football program. That includes paying Belichick $10 million guaranteed for each of the next three years.… Continue Reading
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina will start Gio Lopez at quarterback against TCU in Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut. Belichick announced the decision during a news conference on Wednesday. Lopez transferred from South Alabama and joined the team after spring drills. Belichick praised Lopez’s progress and said he would get most of the practice reps leading up to the game. Lopez threw for over 2,500 yards and 18 touchdowns last year while also proving to be a mobile threat. The Tar Heels’ quarterback room also includes veteran Max Johnson and two freshmen.… Continue Reading
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s football program is getting a spotlight this season under new coach Bill Belichick. In a video posted by the program Sunday, Belichick told the team that Hulu will feature the Tar Heels as they play through his first season as a college coach. Belichick led the NFL’s New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles. UNC kicks off its season on Labor Day against TCU in a college version of Monday Night Football.… Continue Reading
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick’s arrival in college as put the spotlight on North Carolina. Belichick is making his first college coaching stop after leading the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles as a head coach. Belichick’s hiring marks a bet and increased investment in football for the school. That includes paying Belichick $10 million guaranteed for three years in a five-year deal. The Tar Heels are picked to finish eighth in the 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference. They open the season on Labor Day in a college version of Monday night football against TCU.… Continue Reading