The UNC Tar Heels look like they’re anything but the NFL’s 33rd team.
There was optimism Bill Belichick was going to help turn the football program around given how much success he had in the NFL for several decades. But it hasn’t translated to the college level.
The Tar Heels are 2-3 through their first five games. All three losses have been blowouts.
“It’s an unstructured mess,” a source with first-hand knowledge of the program told WRAL. “There’s no culture, no organization. It’s a complete disaster.”
A parent of a current UNC player told the outlet that they don’t fault the players, rather “the leadership that created this toxic environment.”
Another parent said they were told to not approach Belichick and didn’t meet him until after the “Practice like a Pro” game in the spring. It was a stark contrast from former coach Mack Brown and his staff — who had communication with the players and parents.
Belichick’s sons, Brian and Steve, are among the coaches on his staff. A source told WRAL that Steve Belichick — UNC’s defensive coordinator — has not “had a conversation with most of the guys on defense.”
Belichick’s lack of communication was documented during his final season with the New England Patriots. A source told MassLive’s Mark Daniels that Belichick grew so frustrated with quarterback Mac Jones that he stopped talking to him completely. Jones told those around him Belichick refused to talk to him.
After Belichick’s departure from New England, he held a grudge against his former team. He took a shot at Robert and Jonathan Kraft, telling The Boston Globe “there’s no owner or owner’s son” when it comes to differences in coaching in the NFL and college. The 73-year-old also banned Patriots scouts from UNC practices because, in Belichick’s words, it’s clear he’s not welcome around New England’s facilities.
It’s a move that’s reportedly frustrated parents of players.
UNC was also reportedly directed by Belichick to not post anything Patriots-related on social media. Hours after that report surfaced, the school’s X account posted highlights of Tar Heels alum Drake Maye during the Patriots’ Sunday night win over the Buffalo Bills.