Tag: tar heels

Reports: Bobby Petrino to become Bill Belichick’s OC at UNC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bobby Petrino is expected to join Bill Belichick’s staff and become the next offensive coordinator at North Carolina, several reports said Monday.

The longtime college and NFL head coach will try to help Belichick turn around a program that went 4-8 in its first season under the six-time Super Bowl champion’s watch.

The veteran coaches have yet to work together, as Petrino held numerous college and NFL roles before becoming the Louisville head coach in 2003-06.

After resigning from the Atlanta Falcons 13 games into his lone season coaching them in 2007, Petrino served as the head coach at Arkansas (2008-11), Western Kentucky (2013), Louisville again (2014-18) and Missouri State (2020-22). He had an unceremonious departure from Arkansas after a motorcycle accident and an inappropriate relationship with an assistant.

That did not stop Arkansas from bringing him back as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach ahead of the 2024 season. When the Razorbacks fired head coach Sam Pittman on Sept. 28, 2025, Petrino became the interim coach and was considered a candidate for the full-time job.

Arkansas instead hired away Ryan Silverfield from Memphis and did not retain Petrino, who lost all seven games he coached this season.

Belichick fired his offensive and special teams coordinators after the Tar Heels’ challenging season.

OC Freddie Kitchens — himself a former head coach for the Cleveland Browns — was dismissed after the Tar Heels averaged a mere 19.3 points per game, ranking 119th in FBS. North Carolina scored more than 27 in a game only once.

–Field Level Media

Bill Belichick makes staff changes at UNC after 4-8 season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bill Belichick is making changes to his staff at North Carolina, dismissing offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer.

The moves come after the Tar Heels finished 4-8 (2-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) in the 2025 season, Belichick’s first at Chapel Hill.

“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” Belichick said in a news release issued Friday morning. “We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors.”

Kitchens, a former head coach of the Cleveland Browns, was hired as the run game coordinator and tight ends coach at North Carolina in 2023. Belichick retained Kitchens from the staff of former coach Mack Brown and promoted him to offensive coordinator, in part because of his extensive NFL experience.

The Tar Heels ranked 119th out of 136 FBS teams in average points per game (19.2), 107th in passing yards (183.5) and 122nd in rushing yards (105.2).

Priefer, 59, began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Navy in 1994. He moved to the NFL in 2022, and worked as either special teams coordinator or assistant coordinator with six franchises before joining Belichick’s inaugural staff.

He was the special teams coordinator under Kitchens with the Browns in 2019. Kitchens, 51, was fired after a 6-10 season.

–Field Level Media

NC State again gets better of rival North Carolina

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Will Wilson ran for four touchdowns and host North Carolina State blew out rival North Carolina 42-19 in the regular-season finale Saturday night in Raleigh, N.C.

CJ Bailey threw for two touchdowns as the Wolfpack (7-5, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat North Carolina (4-8, 2-6) for the fifth year in a row.

Bill Belichick’s first season as North Carolina’s coach ended on a three-game losing streak.

Bailey threw for 201 yards on 21-for-30 passing and rushed for a game-high 65 yards. Wilson collected 54 yards on the ground on 12 carries.

North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez was 11 of 16 for 118 yards and a touchdown before leaving with an injury after being sacked early in the third quarter. Max Johnson, his replacement, added 54 passing yards, and Au’Tori Newkirk had 23 yards in the air with a late TD toss.

The Tar Heels were limited to 70 yards on the ground and 265 total yards to 386 (201 passing, 185 rushing) for the host squad.

The Wolfpack won its second game in a row and will await a bowl assignment. NC State was 6-1 in home games.

North Carolina couldn’t overcome 129 yards worth of penalties on 11 infractions.

North Carolina was within 28-13 after Rece Verhoff’s 29-yard field goal at the end of a 78-yard drive in the third quarter.

But NC State scored 8 seconds into the fourth quarter on Wilson’s 15-yard run. He also was in the end zone later in the quarter on a 3-yard run.

NC State went up 14-0 in the first quarter and led 28-10 at halftime, with Bailey throwing TD passes to Wesley Grimes and Justin Joly and Wilson running for a pair of touchdowns.

Bailey’s 1-yard toss to Joly came with 18 seconds left in the half to conclude a hurry-up, 11-play drive that covered 75 yards.

Lopez threw 20 yards to Jordan Shipp for North Carolina’s first-half touchdown and Verhoff kicked a 49-yard field goal. Shipp finished with a game-high 90 receiving yards on eight receptions.

–Field Level Media

Late trick play boosts Duke in comeback win over UNC

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Anderson Castle’s third 1-yard touchdown run of the day – one play after Duke’s successful trick play late in the game – helped the Blue Devils pull out a 32-25 victory against host North Carolina on Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Duke’s Darian Mensah threw for 175 yards and a touchdown on 20-for-33 passing as the Blue Devils (6-5, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) became bowl eligible.

North Carolina (4-7, 2-5) won’t be going to the postseason in coach Bill Belichick’s first season at the helm. The Tar Heels finished 2-4 in home games.

Gio Lopez threw for a touchdown and ran for one for North Carolina. He was 21-for-27 passing for 204 yards.

With 2:26 left in regulation, Duke kicker Todd Pelino lined up for a potential go-ahead field goal but instead took a pitch from the holder and ran 26 yards down the left side on a fake, taking the ball to the North Carolina 1-yard line. After the Blue Devils went ahead on Castle’s score, they tacked on a two-point conversion on Sheppard’s catch.

North Carolina, which had come to life offensively in the second half, fizzled on its final possession and gave the ball back on downs at its own 14 with 1:18 left.

The fourth quarter began with North Carolina finishing a 91-yard drive on Davion Gause’s 12-yard TD run for a 25-24 lead with 13:13 remaining.

Duke reached North Carolina territory on its final two possessions, but the first of those went awry on a fourth-down sack.

All of Duke’s scoring drives included 10 or more plays.

The Tar Heels converted for a 49-yard field goal from Rece Verhoff in the final seconds of the first half. Duke led 17-10 at the break after controlling the ball for stretches and then recovering North Carolina’s attempted onside kick to begin the second half.

The Blue Devils used 11 plays to go 44 yards with Castle scoring on a 1-yard run, extending the lead to 24-10.

North Carolina responded with a 10-play march, with Lopez throwing for 20 yards to Jordan Shipp, who made eight receptions for 83 yards. With a roughing-the-passer penalty on the play, the Tar Heels opted for a two-point conversion and Shipp caught that as well.

Earlier, Duke’s second touchdown came one play after a roughing-the-kicker penalty on the Tar Heels as Pelino was missing a field goal.

–Field Level Media

Bill Belichick debuts in Duke rivalry as UNC clings to bowl hopes

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Losses left Duke and North Carolina looking for something to square their attention on the task at hand this week.

So they have each other.

The neighboring rivals meet Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C., playing for the Victory Bell, which goes to the winner of this annual matchup.

“The great thing about sports is redemption is always a week away,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “… There will be no shortage of people who want to win the game on Saturday.”

The Blue Devils (5-5, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) pretty much had their aspirations of reaching the ACC championship game dashed with last week’s 34-17 loss to Virginia.

“(We need) the focus and fortitude to put it behind us and focus on what is a really, really important week for the program,” Diaz said. ” … All of our attention goes forward to getting a win on the road this weekend down in Chapel Hill.”

The Tar Heels (4-6, 2-4) had a two-game winning streak snapped with a 28-12 loss at Wake Forest. The Tar Heels were held without a touchdown in a game for the first time since October 2016.

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said he’s aware of the importance of the game regionally.

“Everybody knows each other pretty well, and (I’m) looking forward to being a participant in this event,” Belichick said.

If the Tar Heels want to participate in the postseason, they will need victories this week and next to reach 6-6 for the regular season. Up next is NC State (5-5).

North Carolina is averaging 18.7 points per game (16th out of 17 ACC teams), but has managed to stay within striking range in several games.

“They’re playing to their strength,” Diaz said. “They’re playing in low-scoring games that turn into one-score games.”

Duke is giving up 29.6 points per game, 13th in the ACC.

Duke’s offensive numbers look far superior to those for the Tar Heels. Quarterback Darian Mensah is averaging a league-best 300.7 passing yards per game, while Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard is averaging 70 rushing yards per game.

North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez has thrown for 158.3 yards per outing, with Demon June the team’s top rusher with 45.2 yards per game.

Prior to becoming Duke’s coach, Diaz said he made three visits to the New England Patriots when Belichick was still the coach there for what he referred to as “professional development” opportunities.

Duke, which already won games at Syracuse, Cal and Clemson, would finish off an undefeated road slate in ACC play with a win Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Bill Belichick says focus on North Carolina’s next game, not Giants opening

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North Carolina coach Bill Belichick is looking west to the next game against Wake Forest and not well north at the vacant job with the New York Giants, he said on Tuesday.

The former longtime NFL coach, with six Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots, has a coaching history with the Giants, who fired Brian Daboll on Monday.

Belichick, 73, is in his first season as a college coach with the Tar Heels, who play Saturday against the Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem, N.C. North Carolina is 4-5, 2-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference after two consecutive victories over Syracuse and Stanford.

“Getting ready for Wake Forest, that’s all I got this week,” Belichick said at his Tuesday press conference in Chapel Hill, N.C.

While speculation has come from outside the program, Belichick was asked if players and recruits have brought up his possible return to the NFL and New York.

“I’ve been asked about it from time to time,” Belichick said. “Look, I’ve been down this road before. I’m focused on Wake Forest, that’s it. That’s my commitment to this team. This week it’s Wake Forest, next week it’s that opponent and so forth. I’m here to do the best for this team.”

Sportsbooks have Belichick with longer odds than Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, a former NFL head coach who coached Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart last season in Oxford, Miss. Kiffin, who coached the Raiders from 2007-08, also has been suggested for various prominent openings at the college level.

Belichick might have motivation to return to the NFL to add to his legacy. Only Don Shula (328-156-6) and George Halas (318-148-31) have more regular-season wins in NFL history than Belichick, who was 302-165 in 29 seasons with the Cleveland Browns (1991-95) and Patriots (2000-2023). He has the most career playoff wins (31-13 record) in collecting Super Bowl titles with the Patriots in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

He was a defensive assistant and special teams coach with the Giants in 1979-84 before taking over as defensive coordinator from 1985-90 — winning Super Bowls in the 1986 and 1990 seasons under head coach Bill Parcells. Belichick also was assistant head coach/defensive coordinator of the New York Jets from 1997-99.

–Field Level Media

Oct 31, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) carries the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the second quarter at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

UNC shuts down Syracuse’s offense, earns first ACC win

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Gio Lopez threw for two touchdowns and North Carolina scored TDs on its first three possessions of the second half to collect the first Atlantic Coast Conference victory under first-year coach Bill Belichick, defeating host Syracuse 27-10 on Friday night.

North Carolina (3-5, 1-3 ACC) was dominant on defense, limiting the Orange (3-6, 1-5) to 147 yards of total offense and putting a halt to a four-game losing streak. It marked the Tar Heels’ first victory of the season against an opponent from a power conference.

North Carolina’s Demon June rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, and he added two catches for 81 yards and a score. Lopez completed 15 of 19 throws for 216 yards and wasn’t intercepted or sacked.

Syracuse, which lost its fifth game in a row, benched quarterback Rickie Collins in favor of freshman Joseph Filardi, who made the start but never got untracked. Filardi wound up 4-for-18 for 39 yards. The Orange’s only touchdown came courtesy of their defense on a fumble recovery.

The Tar Heels, who lost in overtime to nationally ranked Virginia last weekend, had a chance to score on all four second-half possessions, but they chose to take a knee after reaching the Syracuse 3-yard line at the two-minute mark.

North Carolina needed one play for to produce its first touchdown drive. Lopez’s 72-yard pass to June on the Tar Heels’ initial snap of the third quarter gave the visitors a 13-7 lead.

The Tar Heels increased the gap to 20-10 on June’s 5-yard run with eight seconds left in the third quarter.

After recovering a fumble, the Tar Heels needed just three plays to cover 21 yards. Lopez connected with Jordan Shipp for a 21-yard touchdown and a 27-10 lead.

Syracuse, despite a 1-for-11 passing performance and 71 total yards, led 10-6 at halftime.

North Carolina opened the scoring on Rece Verhoff’s 24-yard field goal, but Syracuse went ahead later in the first half when Shamar Easter fumbled and Anwar Sparrow returned the recovery 51 yards for a touchdown.

The Orange extended their lead on Tripp Woody’s 31-yard field goal to conclude a 13-play drive that produced 50 yards. Verhoff’s 43-yard field goal with 36 seconds left in the half closed the gap to 10-6.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks into the field before the game against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

UNC suspends, investigates CBs coach over improper benefits

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North Carolina confirmed Thursday that the athletics department has suspended cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins for “violating NCAA rules related to extra benefits.”

The Athletic first reported Tuesday that Hawkins had provided sideline passes for a Tar Heels’ game to a player’s family members, in violation of NCAA rules.

In a statement, North Carolina did not provide a length of Hawkins’ suspension but indicated the coach may have broken other rules.

“(Hawkins) will remain on leave as the Department of Athletics further investigates other potential actions detrimental to the team and University,” the statement said.

Hawkins’ suspension comes as tensions grow around North Carolina football in Bill Belichick’s first year as head coach.

The Tar Heels are 2-3 after an ugly 38-10 loss to Clemson, and the Guardian and 247Sports reported this week that Belichick and North Carolina were discussing an “exit strategy” involving Belichick triggering his $1 million buyout if he found another landing spot in coaching or media.

That prompted both Belichick and North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham to post short statements to social media that the coach was “fully committed to UNC Football” and the school was giving him its “full support.”

It’s unclear whether any rules that Hawkins broke would affect Belichick’s buyout.

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a North Carolina Tar Heels helmet on the field before a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Report: UNC assistant Armond Hawkins suspended for illegal benefits

Posted on | by Field Level Media

North Carolina cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins has been suspended for illegal benefits, according to a report by the Athletic.

Hawkins reportedly provided sideline passes for a North Carolina football game to a player’s family members, which is an NCAA rule violation.

Hawkins is in his first season as an on-field coach in college football. He came to Chapel Hill with North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who was previously defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies.

Hawkins has previously worked as a director of high school relations at USC (2020-21), assistant recruiting coordinator at Colorado (2022), assistant director of recruiting/defensive analyst at Arizona (2023) and defensive analyst at Washington (2024).

The report did not indicate if a length for the suspension has been assessed or if it’s an indefinite suspension.

This is the latest misstep in what has been a snafu-laden debut season of NFL legend Bill Belichick’s first season leading the Tar Heels, who fell to 2-3 after Saturday’s 38-10 home loss to Clemson. North Carolina has lost its three games against Power Four competition by a combined score of 120-33.

On Monday, it was reported that Bill Belichick was not allowing staff members to share anything related to the New England Patriots, with whom he won six Super Bowls before a sour 2023 ending, on social media.

That meant that North Carolina’s social media accounts did not share anything about former QB Drake Maye’s stellar Sunday Night Football performance until after this was reported.

Belichick has also admitted publicly that Patriots scouts are not permitted to attend Tar Heel practices to scout his players.

North Carolina has a bye this weekend before it plays at Cal on Oct. 17.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) looks to pass in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Report: UNC QB Gio Lopez’s leg injury not season-ending

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North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez did not suffer a season-ending injury in Saturday’s loss to UCF, On3 reported Monday.

Lopez departed in the third quarter of the Tar Heels’ 34-9 defeat in Orlando, carted to the locker room after being helped off the field with an injury to his right leg.

North Carolina is targeting an early October return for Lopez, per the report. Coach Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels (2-2) are idle this weekend before opening their ACC schedule at home against Clemson on Oct. 4.

Lopez completed 11 of 14 passes for 87 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions against the Knights before leaving with the injury. Backup Max Johnson was 11-of-19 passing for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Lopez, a transfer from South Alabama, has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 430 yards with three TDs and three picks through four games. He has rushed for 69 yards and one score.

–Field Level Media