The Polarizing Dynamic Facing Bill Belichick With UNC in 2026

The North Carolina Tar Heels football program is in flux heading into the 2026-27 college football season.

While the Tar Heels have orchestrated several productive moves throughout the offseason via the transfer portal and recruiting class, there is still a mountain of questions surrounding the program. Many of those doubts are associated with head coach Bill Belichick, who has ignited a dumpster fire upon his arrival in Chapel Hill.

Last week, Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde compiled a list of the top 25 most intriguing college football coaches heading into this season. According to Forde, Belichick is ranked No. 8 on the list. Here is a breakdown of the 74-year-old head coach’s ranking among his peers on this list.

Revisiting Belichick's Hire

Jul 17, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick, with the media during interviews at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

North Carolina's hiring of Belichick was a polarizing decision, and quite frankly, I've doubted this move from the get-go. Those concerns have been validated, as the Tar Heels went 4-8 last season, including 2-6 in conference play. That culminated in North Carolina failing to qualify for bowl eligibility for the first time since 2018, which was obviously not part of the plan when the program hired the longtime NFL head coach.

Now, without a doubt, Belichick is one of the most scrutinized head coaches entering this season and is in a scorching hot seat.

Belichick Ranked Too High

Oct 31, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick looks to the clock in the fourth quarter game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While Belichick is a legendary name for his success in the NFL, he has been far from that in his brief collegiate stint. Additionally, to be intriguing, you have to be relevant, and, with all due respect, Belichick is over the hill and has demonstrated little, dating back to his final few years in New England, to show that he is a formidable head coach.

College football revolves around the head coaches, who elevate their respective programs. I know Belichick is a six-time Super Bowl champion, but he shouldn't be listed this high above some of these names.

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with the team before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

For example, USC's Lincoln Riley (10), Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman (11), Oregon's Dan Lanning (12), Alabama's Kalen DeBoer (14), Georgia's Kirby Smart (15), Texas' Steve Sarkisian (20), and Ohio State's Ryan Day (21) are all ranked lower than Belichick. Other than being on the hot seat, Belichick offers little intrigue.

In fact, North Carolina could quickly vanish into irrelevance by the midway point of the regular season. To be intriguing, you need to be winning games and challenging for postseason play. North Carolina is unlikely to be part of that discussion.

Nov 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) celebrates with quarterback Gio Lopez (7) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The aforementioned coaches have achieved much more at the college level, and while Riley and DeBoer have underwhelmed at their respective spots, Freeman, Lanning, and Smart all spearhead elite programs capable of contending for a National Championship. Until further notice, regardless of his name value, Belichick is irrelevant in college football.

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