CHARLOTTE – It wasn’t just another stop on the media day circuit. When Bill Belichick took the stage at the ACC Kickoff Thursday in Charlotte, he brought with him the gravitas of eight Super Bowl rings, decades of NFL dominance, and a plan to remake North Carolina football.
“Appreciate everybody coming out today,” Belichick opened simply. But what followed was an unfiltered look into how one of the greatest minds in football history plans to approach the college game, and why he chose Chapel Hill as the next chapter. “This is a great school with a great brand,” Belichick said, citing the support of Chancellor Roberts, Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, and football administrator Steven Newmark. “The support’s been overwhelmingly tremendous. Not only supportive, but engaged and very excited.”
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| North Carolina Head Coach Bill Belichick Photo Credit: ACC Media Services |
Now, the challenge shifts to the field. With 70 new players on the roster and a new staff headlined by defensive coordinator Stephen Belichick and offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens, North Carolina is in full reset mode. “That’s a lot of people and a lot of turnover,” Belichick admitted. “We’re very much looking forward to getting out on the field next week and seeing it all come together.”
Rebuilding From the Ground Up
Belichick didn’t shy away from the obvious: this is a massive transition for a team coming off a 6–7 season. “We’ve hit a lot of personal high marks,” he said. “Whether it be strength, speed, explosion... these guys have really worked hard and they have a lot to show for it.”
While the TCU opener looms large, a primetime national stage against a top-25 team, Belichick’s message was pure process over panic. “Everybody has got a lot of focus, obviously, on the TCU opener... but really right now the big thing for us is just stacking good training days one on top of another,” he said. “Just put good days together... get closer to becoming the most consistent and best football team we can be.”
The Belichick Blueprint
Belichick is used to crafting dynasties in the pros, but his interest in college football has deep roots. “Developing players, that’s really what coaching is,” he said. “That’s what we do. We take great pride in that, myself and our staff.”
And development doesn’t just mean on the field. Citing past experiences from Cleveland and New England, Belichick emphasized that success often comes from overlooked places. “Whether it was at Cleveland, where Mike [Lombardi] and I put together an offensive line where four of the five starters were free agents, or at New England... players like Brady and Edelman... as well as some of the higher picks that developed like Gronkowski.”
It’s not just about finding talent. It’s about building it. “Players that want to come in, work hard, be good players, learn, compete, competition is what makes us all better.”
Defensive Identity, Built Through Relationships
For senior cornerback Thaddeus Dixon, a transfer from Washington, joining North Carolina wasn’t just about a new home, it was about working under one of the greatest defensive minds ever. “It's special,” Dixon said. “To just try to be a part of that pedigree, it’s honestly special. It’s something I look forward to every day, just getting better... and hopefully my name can be with those guys’ names.”
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| North Carolina DB Thaddeus Dixon Photo Credit: ACC Media Services |
That name includes a few Belichick legends: Ty Law, Darrelle Revis. Dixon knows the bar. He also credited the staff, particularly Stephen Belichick, for transforming the way he thinks about the game. “I’ve built a very close relationship with Coach Steve... I feel like it’s really propelled my game to the next level as far as understanding the game and other offensive coordinators.”
But Dixon’s leadership role is just as vital as his on-field contributions. “You can expect a tough, smart, dependable team,” he said. “A team with a chip on their shoulder. Everybody got something to prove.”
Veteran Presence, New Leadership
Senior safety Will Hardy, a returning starter, echoed the excitement about the new direction, and the responsibility he feels to lead it. “We’ve got a lot of new players on this team... and they have a lot of talent,” Hardy said. “It’s one of my roles to get everyone established... really create a team chemistry that can go win on Saturdays.”
With Belichick’s system comes expectations, on the field, off the field, and within the locker room. Hardy sees himself as a culture setter. “It’s been important for me to be an encourager,” he said. “Being someone that people can count on and can trust, that’s important for me.”
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| North Carolina LB Will Hardy Photo Credit: ACC Media Services |
That trust and cohesion, he emphasized, are what will fix a defense that struggled mightily last year. “You need all 11 playing on the same page,” Hardy said. “Building that team chemistry and really holding each other accountable... that’s on the top of our minds.”
The impact off the field has been just as profound. “Coach Belichick has brought former players to talk to us just about what else is there outside of just football,” Hardy said. “That’s nutrition, that’s sleep, that is recovery... so how can you pour that investment into something else?”
Wideout With a Mission
Sophomore Jordan Shipp, who bypassed transfer opportunities to remain at UNC when Belichick was hired, brought a personal perspective to media day, one rooted in family, faith, and a desire to build something bigger. “I want to start off by giving praise and glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Shipp said. “Without Him I wouldn’t be here.”
Shipp spoke of his father’s influence, his desire to carve out his own name, and the value of advice he received before choosing UNC: “Where would you go if you couldn’t play football anymore?” That question stuck with him. So did the standard now in place under Belichick.
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| North Carolina WR Jordan Shipp Photo Credit: ACC Media Services |
“You’re going to be tough, smart, dependable... we’re going to play to his standard,” Shipp said. “That standard is not going to drop off for nobody. You can’t obtain it, just get out the way, next guy up.” He also praised returning receiver Kobe Paysour, who briefly entered the portal before returning.
“Kobe brings experience. Kobe is a great player. Kobe is a great friend,” Shipp said. “I know I can rely on him off the field and on the field.”
A Professional Mind in a College World
While Belichick's methods are grounded in time-tested NFL discipline, he’s aware of the college football changes that await him, especially the impact of NIL, the transfer portal, and roster volatility. He compared the landscape to the pro world: “Not the same, but similar in terms of NIL, revenue sharing, free agency, if you will, and recruiting post-draft type recruiting as opposed to drafting.”
Belichick didn’t offer specifics about scheme or identity, but he made clear his priorities. “We’ll do what we feel like is best for the football team, like we always do, and just see how that plays out.”
The goal? Long-term excellence. Short-term noise? Block it out. “The great thing about working with the college players is just the growth and the development that we’ve seen,” he said. “As a coach, it’s fun. It’s fun to see players get better.”
And that fun is just beginning in Chapel Hill.
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