It’s a whole new world for the UNC football team this offseason, as the ongoing pandemic has forced programs across the country to adapt their methods as players begin returning to campus in preparation for the upcoming 2020 campaign.

The Tar Heels made the choice to have their players arrive in four different phases, with the first three phases coming to campus a week apart and the final phase set to show up on June 29.

Last week marked the first phase of player arrivals. Each player was tested for COVID-19 on Friday then asked to isolate themselves from one another unless they live together.

Coaches are only working at their offices from Tuesday through Thursday, while working from home the rest of the week. Team meetings will still be held via Zoom for the foreseeable future, even if players and coaches are in the same building.

Head coach Mack Brown also acknowledged that practice plans may have to be adjusted in order to adhere to the 15-minute rule—which considers any face-to-face contact of that length to be prolonged.

“We’re learning how to stay safe,” Brown said. “And the first group of players are going to be the ones who teach the next group how to make sure they go by the guidelines.”

The NCAA also recently approved UNC’s six-week practice plan, which finally allows the team to move along on a schedule that’s not constantly subject to changes based on the situation.

Under this plan, the Tar Heels are allowed to begin preparing for fall camp on July 12–rather than relying on player-led practices and voluntary workouts as they would in a traditional year.

Most teams across the nation are scheduled to open fall camp on Aug. 7, but with the Tar Heels opening their season with a Friday night game at UCF on Sept. 4 they were given an extra day and will open their camp on Aug. 6.

“The fact that the NCAA has given us a guideline, they’ve given us a road map,” Brown said. “There’s no playbook for all the things we’ve been going through over the last three months. This really helps us because we can sit down with each player and show them exactly when this is going to happen, what you’ve got to be ready for.”

To this point, Brown said no player, coach or their families have expressed any concerns about COVID-19. He also reiterated that players are able to opt out of any activity without fear of punishment.

When it comes to playing games in the fall, plenty of unknowns remain. Team benches will likely have to be extended to allow for proper social distancing, while the idea of coaches wearing masks is still on the table as well.

No matter what happens in that regard, quarterback Sam Howell said that communication is key and that Brown is always keeping the team informed and ready to answer any questions that come up.

“I think what you see at a lot of other schools is just a lack of communication,” Howell said. “We don’t have that here. I’m proud to say we all really stick together. We’re on the same page, and that starts with Coach Brown bringing us all together.”

Photo via Dakota Moyer

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