UNC defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is away from the program on medical leave, head coach Bill Belichick said Thursday at the Kenan Football Center. Steve Belichick had been scheduled to address the media last Thursday following the Tar Heels’ first practice of fall camp, but did not appear at the podium. Bill Belichick said the program hopes to get Steve back “as soon as possible.”

“We coach the defense collectively as a staff,” Bill Belichick said Thursday. “So we’ll continue to do that. Those guys are involved with everybody.”

As for play-calling duties should Steve not rejoin the team before the season opener later this month, Bill deferred, only saying, “We’ll see.”

Steve Belichick’s medical leave comes as general manager Michael Lombardi continues to be on paid administrative leave. Lombardi’s leave was first announced July 27 and can last a maximum of 30 days. There was no update to the investigation into Lombardi’s conduct as of Thursday morning.

Steve Belichick joined the UNC program prior to the 2025 season, shortly after his father was named head coach. He spent the 2024 season at the University of Washington, but the two Belichicks have worked together before: Steve served on his father’s staff with the New England Patriots for more than a decade, ending his time there as the Patriots’ defensive play-caller.

Under Steve Belichick’s leadership, UNC ranked 24th nationally in red zone defense, allowing only 23 touchdowns in 44 total trips to the red zone by opposing offenses. Carolina’s 24.5 points allowed per game ranked 66th out of 134 teams nationally and its 336.9 total yards allowed per game ranked 38th.

UNC opens the season Saturday, Aug. 29 against TCU in Dublin, Ireland as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Chris Seward

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