Latest North Carolina Football News and Notes

The North Carolina Tar Heels football program has had a hectic start to the offseason, which is a partial product of how the season transpired. In Bill Belichick's first year as North Carolina's head coach, the Tar Heels went 4-8 and failed to qualify for bowl eligibility for the first time since 2018.

Here is the run through of North Carolina's offseason developments that will shape the 2026 season.

National Signing Day

Nov 29, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick addresses the media after the second half of the game against NC State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' 2026 recruiting class was ranked as the 12th-best group in the country. Belichick spoke on the process during National Signing Day in November.

"This is really our first recruiting class," Belichick said. "Last year, [my arrival] was after the signing day, so it was a completely different situation, procedure, and process. So, this was really a very long process."

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick watches play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

"It's a big class, and we're excited about the players that have signed and committed here," Belichick said. "They will be a foundation for our program. They represent, really the values that we stand for, at least the way we feel at this time. That’s why we recruited those players, and it really transcends the entire football team."

"We signed one quarterback, one running back, but in other positions — receiver, tight end, offensive-defensive line, linebacker, defensive back, a kicker and a punter — it’s a pretty balanced class," Belichick concluded.

Transfer Portal Fallout

Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Richmond Spiders head coach Russ Huesman talks to North Carolina Tar Heels general manger Michael Lombardi and head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

North Carolina has lost several players to the transfer portal this offseason. The portal officially opens on Jan. 2, but student-athletes have the opportunity to announce their departures prior to that date.

This has put the Tar Heels in a real bind, losing multiple key starters from this season, which has created challenges for general manager Michael Lombardi.

So, we’re going to make decisions with what we think is in the best interest of our program moving forward, based on the total realm of what we think is needed for our team," Lombardi said. "And we don’t really know what is going to happen tomorrow, because the portal doesn’t open up until January.”

Offensive Coordinator Changes

Nov 29, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks interim head coach Bobby Petrino prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

After a lackluster offensive campaign, Belichick made a significant coaching change, firing offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens.

"We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes," Belichick said in a statement. "We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors."

North Carolina quickly identified potential candidates for the vacancy, landing on Bobby Petrino as the next offensive coordinator for the football program.

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