Belichick’s Latest Embarrassment Shows His Leash Is Shortening at UNC

WAKE FOREST, N.C. - Head coach Bill Belichick and the North Carolina football program did not have a good time last Saturday during its 28-12 loss to Wake Forest. However, nothing was more humiliating than what happened in the final 30 seconds of the game.

Wake Forest was trying to punch in a final touchdown at UNC’s 2-yard line in the closing seconds but was stopped on third down. With a nine-point lead, the Demon Deacons appeared ready to run out the clock. Keep in mind, UNC trailed by nine. The Tar Heels were not going to win this game with less than 30 seconds left—and it would’ve taken Jesus Christ himself to show up for them to even have a shot.

UNC football coach Bill Belichick during a press conference inside the Kenan Football Center on Oct. 28, 2025. | Rodd Baxley/The Fayetteville Observer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Instead of letting the clock expire, Belichick just couldn’t resist, burning his last timeout with 27 seconds left—apparently to out-strategize Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert. That, at least, seemed to be the master plan.

Dickert essentially sent a not-so-subtle message to Belichick and went for the touchdown, which paid off as Robby Ashford kept the ball on a read option and scored to account for the final margin in Wake Forest’s 28-12 win over UNC.

Belichick calls a timeout with seconds left and Wake inside the 5 — the Deacs respond with a score. Small scuffle ensues.

Wake 28, UNC 12 | 22 seconds left in game. pic.twitter.com/NhRl8ENqFB
— Travon Miles (@TrayABC11) November 16, 2025

“Just trying to keep the game alive,” a monotoned Belichick said with a quiet voice. “I didn’t know what they were going to do. Block a field goal, make a stop. I mean, we keep competing.”

“I just said, we were trying to stop them,” he said when asked a follow-up question about the timeout. “I didn’t know what they’re going to do.”

However, the most awkward moment came after the final whistle. During the postgame handshake, Dickert removed his cap out of respect for the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach and was hoping for a long embrace, but Belichick offered only a brief handshake before walking past. While it is understandable Belichick was frustrated by the outcome, the exchange could have been handled better.

This is an awful look for Bill Belichick.

When you occupy the space Bill does, you should recognize what these games mean to opposing coaches.

Jake Dickert even removed his hat as he approached to shake hands. pic.twitter.com/Ce3iitpM1G
— Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) November 16, 2025

Belichick's Other Questionable Decisions

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick during UNC's 38-10 loss to Clemson; Oct. 4, 2025 | Jackson McCurdy, Tar Heels On SI

There were other questionable decisions too.

In the second quarter, Belichick declined a penalty after Wake Forest was flagged for an illegal shift on a one-yard gain at UNC’s 12-yard line. Accepting it would have pushed Wake back five yards, making it first and 15 at the 17-yard line. Instead, on the next play, Wake scored a touchdown to take a 14-3 lead. While there’s no certainty UNC could have stopped them, declining the penalty squandered an opportunity to hamper Wake’s offense.

Belichick’s call to burn his final timeout with five seconds left in the third quarter was baffling. Instead of letting the clock run out, he stopped play to set up a 45-yard field goal for Verhoff, which was blocked, keeping the score at 21-9. Though he blamed the wind, it was still a questionable use of a crucial timeout.

UNC — Oct 17, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick looks on before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

That's because Verhoff nailed a program record 57-yard field goal from the same end earlier in the second quarter, highlighting even more how the previous clock stoppage was unnecessary.

It does make you wonder if swapping out one 73-year-old coach past his prime in Mack Brown for another 73-year-old coach past his prime was really the grand solution.

The Next Two Games will Prove How Patient UNC is With Belichick

Nov 8, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) throws a pass against the UConn Huskies in the first quarter at Pratt &Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. | David Butler II-Imagn Images

At the moment, Carolina sits at 4-6, two wins away from bowl eligibility. But if the Tar Heels lose just one more, it’ll mark the first time since 2018 that they miss out on postseason glory. Imagine paying $10 million a year to flirt with breaking that enviable streak. The Tar Heels hired Belichick because they wanted to look big-time, tired of just being "Triangle Good" at 7-5 or 8-4. So they managed to break new ground and settle in as, well, "Triangle Bad."

Carolina’s next two games come against Triangle rivals Duke and NC State. Both opponents are 5-5 and, like North Carolina, are fighting for bowl eligibility. Neither will hesitate to try to embarrass the Tar Heels, especially with Belichick on the sideline.

Nov 15, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; NC State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) hands off the football to running back Hollywood Smothers (3) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Carolina will face the best passing offense it has seen all season when it meets Duke on Saturday. The Tar Heels have also dropped four straight games to NC State and have not won in Raleigh since 2019.

Right now, Carolina fans are patient with Belichick in his first season. But expectations remain high. If UNC loses to both Duke and NC State, Belichick’s leash entering 2026 will be extremely short.

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