Belichick’s UNC Experiment Crumbling Amid Locker Room Leaks and Finger-Pointing

North Carolina has been making headlines lately—and not for basketball. The focus has shifted to the football team, and for all the wrong reasons.

In fact, the controversy surrounding the football program has overshadowed anything the basketball team said or did at ACC Tipoff.

Oct 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a North Carolina Tar Heels helmet on the field before a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Allegations include banning the social media team from posting about Drake Maye simply because he plays for the New England Patriots, reports of favoritism in the locker room, canceling a Hulu project, and, most recently, the university holding preliminary conversations about a potential exit strategy regarding Belichick’s future.

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

If you thought the media scrutiny had faded, it remains as intense as ever. Pat Welter of WRAL—the reporter who first exposed the program’s ongoing problems—reports that Belichick and his staff are actively searching for the source of leaks to reporters.

But unlike the NFL, where there may be only a handful of sources, college football programs can have dozens, if not hundreds, of potential leakers within their program.

Continuing to reach out to sources about what's going on inside the Belichick program. Some now are feeling reluctant to share new information as internally the Belichick staff is trying to find the leak. But between @wral and national reports the "leak" is far from a few people
— Pat Welter WRAL (@PatrickWelter) October 8, 2025

Instead of accepting responsibility for the ongoing distractions—or keeping quiet to let the controversy blow over—Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi have started to blame the New England Patriots organization for the negative press. This is the narrative they are now pushing.

A Saturday report by Dianna Russini of The Athletic summed up the situation: "[S]uspicions within UNC’s program that some of the negative headlines.”

The UNC program under Bill Belichick is privately blaming the Patriots for contributing to the recent storm of bad press. Which seems to cross the line from paranoia into full-blown delusion. https://t.co/lOpkB7Tuox
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 12, 2025

Belichick’s decision to blame the New England Patriots for the relentless media attention is misguided for two reasons. First, the Patriots are focused on their own priorities, such as trying to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Second, why would Bob Kraft and the Patriots organization try to orchestrate Belichick’s downfall when he seems to be doing that himself?

We're On to Cal

CAL — Oct 4, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) warms up before taking on the Duke Blue Devils at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

While Belichick and his staff are preoccupied with finding the source of leaks within their own organization—and even suspecting the Patriots—the Tar Heels are preparing to face Cal.

The Golden Bears have lost two of their last three games, but still boast talented players, including quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and linebacker Cade Uluave.

UNC — North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

It also doesn’t help that the Tar Heels will have to travel nearly 3,000 miles to the Pacific coast—their longest trip of the season. The time change is another challenge. Friday’s kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Berkeley, which will feel like 10:30 p.m. to the team and fans back in Chapel Hill.

Carolina is 2-3 this season, with all three losses coming against Power Four programs: TCU, UCF, and Clemson. In those games, the Tar Heels were outscored 120-33—an average score of 40-11—with the average margin of defeat at 29 points.

North Carolina defensive lineman Isaiah Johnson making a tackle vs. Clemson; Oct. 4, 2025 | UNC Athletic Communications

The offense has struggled badly, averaging just 263.8 yards per game, which ranks 131st nationally and last in the ACC. The Tar Heels are at or near the bottom in nearly every national and conference statistical category. It’s also worth noting that UNC finally eclipsed the 200-yard passing mark in its 38-10 loss to Clemson on Oct. 4.

UNC — Bill belichick | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

Including the Clemson game, UNC’s pass defense has allowed Power Four opponents to complete 76 percent of their passes for 906 yards—an average of 302 per game—with seven touchdowns and only one interception. The Tar Heels would be the 130th pass defense in the country if you take out the Charlotte and Richmond.

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