Tag: UNC

OC Bobby Petrino officially hired at North Carolina

Posted on | by Field Level Media

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick made the hiring of veteran coach Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator official on Friday.

News began to spread before Christmas that Petrino was headed for Chapel Hill, where he will be charged with revamping an offense that averaged only 19.3 points and 288.8 yards of total offense per game. Their scoring average was 16th in the 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference, and the Tar Heels finished last in total offense.

Belichick fired offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens after North Carolina finished 4-8 (2-6) in 2025.

“I’m extremely excited to join Coach Belichick and the Carolina football program,” Petrino, 64, said Friday in a school news release. “This is an incredible opportunity to work with one of the best at a storied institution. I cannot wait to get started in Chapel Hill alongside this coaching staff and student-athletes.”

Belichick cited Petrino’s “proven record” in announcing the addition.

“We are fortunate to add an elite coaching talent in Bobby to our staff,” Belichick said. “He brings an extensive background and a proven record of success on offense at every level of football. Bobby has consistently built great offenses everywhere he has been, and we look forward to having him work with our program.”

Petrino held numerous college and NFL roles before serving as 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.

Petrino has an overall record of 119-63 as a head coach.

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

Still, the problem at Arkansas was not its offense. The Razorbacks were 15th in the nation in total offense (454.8 yards) and 23rd in scoring offense (32.9 points).

–Field Level Media

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

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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

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

Carlos Hernandez delivers two quirky TDs as Wake Forest rolls past UNC

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Carlos Hernandez scored on a couple of unconventional touchdown plays as Wake Forest beat visiting North Carolina 28-12 on Saturday at Winston-Salem, N.C.

Robby Ashford threw for one touchdown and ran for another and Demond Claiborne had 98 rushing yards with a touchdown as Wake Forest (7-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) won its second game in a row.

Rece Verhoff kicked four field goals for North Carolina (4-6, 2-4), but he also had two attempts on field goals blocked. The Tar Heels will have to win at home against Duke and at North Carolina State to reach bowl eligibility. Gio Lopez threw for 201 yards.

Ashford handed off to Claiborne and received a pitch back, then throwing to Hernandez on a 70-yard flea flicker in the third quarter. The receiver picked up a key block and headed down the home sideline to the end zone.

Wake Forest blocked its second field goal on the last play of the third quarter, keeping the score at 21-9.

North Carolina pulled within 14-6 on Verhoff’s school-record 57-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

Wake Forest reached the North Carolina 24 on its first second-half possession, then Ashford took a sack on fourth-and-2. Verhoff’s 42-yarder made it 14-9 midway through the third quarter.

Wake Forest took a 14-3 lead when Claiborne ran 12 yards up the middle with 1:47 to play in the first half.

Wake Forest had the only points in the first quarter, with those coming on a bizarre play on the game’s opening possession. Ashford picked up yards on a run, but he fumbled as he was hit. Hernandez picked up the ball — near a big pile of players trying to recover it — and ran 51 yards for a touchdown.

North Carolina used a 12-play drive to pick up its first points on Verhoff’s 40-yard field goal with 12:54 remaining in the second quarter.

The Tar Heels were gifted a fumble at the Wake Forest 31 with 10 minutes to play in the first half. After picking up a first down, Verhoff’s field goal attempt was blocked by Nick Andersen.

–Field Level Media

North Carolina set for Stanford in matchup of former NFL coaches

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North Carolina might be in position to gain a little momentum in what has been a challenging season.

The Tar Heels will look for back-to-back Atlantic Coast Conference victories when they face Stanford on Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C.

North Carolina (3-5, 1-3) will aim to pick up steam after snapping a four-game losing streak with a 27-10 victory at Syracuse last Friday. The next day, Stanford (3-6, 2-4) dropped a 35-20 decision to Pitt.

It’s a matchup involving former NFL head coaches, with North Carolina’s Bill Belichick (New England, Cleveland in the NFL) and Stanford interim coach Frank Reich (Carolina, Indianapolis).

“Some familiar faces this week with Frank and (Stanford general manager) Andrew Luck,” Belichick said. “Those guys were hard to compete against at a different point and time. Have some memories and real battles with the Colts.”

Neither man is putting much emphasis on the coaching ties.

“The last thing in the world this is about is any kind of matchups that we’ve had,” Reich said. “I’m only interested in our team and our players. My only motivation is for the good of this team.”

Reich announced a quarterback change, with redshirt freshman Elijah Brown replacing Ben Gulbranson as the starter, calling it somewhat of a gut feeling in making the switch.

“Obviously a tough decision because Ben has done some really good things this year,” Reich said.

Brown has played in three games this season, throwing for one touchdown. He was in the game late vs. Pitt.

“I think Elijah is very instinctive at the position, very accurate passer,” Reich said.

Belichick said there’s not much footage of Brown to study.

Part of the objective for Stanford, Reich said, is to get back closer to a balanced attack. The Cardinal might have a chore against an improving North Carolina defense.

“Obviously a well-schemed defense,” Reich said. “You know when you go up against Coach Belichick and anything that he’s involved with defensively there’s kind of a game-by-game game-planning thing.”

North Carolina’s offense has received a boost from freshman running back Demon June, who notched his second outing of more than 100 rushing yards in the Syracuse game. Of his 117 receiving yards this season, 81 came against the Orange.

Stanford, which will be in its road finale, is 0-5 away from home.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Rickie Collins (10) throws a pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

UNC, Syracuse eager to end losing streaks in Halloween matchup

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North Carolina and Syracuse haven’t had the type of seasons they’ve wanted, but one of the teams can gain momentum going into the final stretch.

They will meet Friday night in Syracuse, N.Y., both trying to shed four-game losing streaks.

North Carolina (2-5, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) has suffered narrow defeats in its past two games, including a 17-16 overtime setback to nationally ranked Virginia last week.

“You start all over every week,” North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said. “Every week is its own entity.”

Syracuse (3-5, 1-4) hasn’t found its footing since knocking off Clemson on Sept. 20. Orange coach Fran Brown said he’s bothered by the monthlong losing streak.

“It’s just not the way things should be around here,” Brown said. “I’ve got to be able to fix it. That’s why they made me the head coach.”

Syracuse has dropped off offensively since Rickie Collins replaced injured Steve Angeli at quarterback. Brown said he hasn’t given up on Collins, but it’s a process to reach an elite level.

“I think he has a long way to go to get to that point,” Brown said. “You hope that it could happen this week.”

Collins, who has been the starter for the past four games, has thrown for 957 yards and six touchdowns but eight interceptions this season. The Orange’s 157 rushing yards in a 41-16 loss at then-No. 7 Georgia Tech last week marked their second-highest ground total of the season.

“Very dangerous with the ball in his hand,” Belichick said of Collins. “Very good runner, and you can just see him get better every week.”

Scouting the Orange can be a bit complex.

“A lot of guys to get ready for, in some cases that we haven’t seen very much of,” Belichick said.

North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez has been intercepted five times and has thrown for four touchdowns this season.

Brown said Belichick’s influence on the Tar Heels is evident, particularly on defense.

“I’m happy I get a chance to compete against him,” Brown said. “… You can see him starting to implement the old Belichick brand of football in how they’re playing and how they fly around together.”

There’s also a buildup to the game despite the teams’ records.

“Halloween night,” Brown said. “It’s going to be a good atmosphere.”

Syracuse, which won’t play at home again until the regular-season finale against Boston College on Nov. 29, is 15-5 all-time on Halloween.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) looks for a pass while under pressure from North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Khmori House (7) in the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Cal hangs on to keep Bill Belichick, UNC winless in ACC

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Brent Austin forced and recovered a late game-saving fumble in the end zone, and Cal kept North Carolina and beleaguered coach Bill Belichick winless in Atlantic Coast Conference play with a 21-18 victory Friday night in Berkeley, Calif.

In a three-point game, the Tar Heels’ Nathan Leacock caught a pass and neared the goal line before Austin knocked out the ball, which he managed to scramble to and secure for a touchback with 3:48 remaining.

With both squads coming off a bye week, the Golden Bears (5-2, 2-1 ACC) improved to 3-0 all-time against North Carolina (2-4, 0-2), which has lost all four of its matchups against Power 4 opponents.

Cal true freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele completed 21 of 39 passes for 209 yards with a TD pass and also rushed for a score.

Jacob De Jesus caught a career-high 13 passes for 105 yards and a score for the Golden Bears. Kendrick Raphael rushed 22 times for 81 yards and a TD.

Cal’s Cam Sydney forced and recovered a fumble that led to the game’s first points.

After Belichick defended the state of the program earlier in the week, the Tar Heels rallied but fell short.

In his first action since Sept. 20, North Carolina’s Gio Lopez, the other left-hander in the quarterback matchup, connected on 19 of 35 passing for 167 yards.

The Tar Heels’ Benjamin Hall rushed for 68 yards and a score on 14 carries. Kobe Paysour had six catches for 101 yards.

Sydney stripped a receiver on the first play from scrimmage, and Sagapolutele put Cal up 7-0 on a 3-yard keeper just over two minutes into the game.

Eight minutes later, Hall finished a 70-yard drive by rambling 18 yards to tie it with 4:48 left in the quarter.

Sagapolutele rolled right, threw against his body and hit De Jesus for a 7-yard score and a 14-7 lead to end a 12-play, 75-yard drive with 42 seconds left in the opening quarter.

Lopez converted a fourth-and-2 pass midway through the second quarter. That led to Rece Verhoff’s 41-yard field goal with 6:14 left in the first half.

One play after a pass-interference penalty on the Tar Heels on third-and-1, Raphael tallied on the second half’s first possession — a 2-yard run — for a 21-10 advantage.

Early in the fourth, Davion Gause’s 4-yard TD run and Hall’s two-point reception cut North Carolina’s deficit to 21-18, but Austin preserved the win with his defensive stop.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Bill Belichick says ‘no truth’ to report he wants out at UNC

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After releasing a statement last week saying he is committed to continuing as North Carolina’s head coach, Bill Belichick reiterated the sentiment during his press availability Monday.

A report from the Guardian last week said that Belichick, 73, expressed potential interest in finding a coaching or media job that could offset the $1 million buyout he would owe North Carolina if he leaves for another job.

“That’s just categorically false,” Belichick told reporters in the team’s first media availability following a bye last week. “There’s no truth to that. I’m glad I’m here.”

His words Monday echoed his statement Wednesday.

“I’m fully committed to UNC Football and the program we are building here,” read a statement on the Tar Heels’ X account from Belichick.

Athletic director Bubba Cunningham added in a statement on the same social media post: “Coach Belichick has the full support of the Department of Athletics and University.”

Belichick’s first season coaching college football after winning eight Super Bowls (six as a head coach, two as a defensive coordinator) has been less than ideal.

The Tar Heels fell to 2-3 after a 38-10 home loss to Clemson on Oct. 4. North Carolina has lost all three of its games against Power 4 competition by a combined margin of 120-33. They are 0-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

The team will travel to the West Coast this week to face Cal 4-1 (1-1 ACC) on Saturday at Berkeley, Calif.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) scores during the first quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Bounce House Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Tayven Jackson shines as UCF stays unbeaten with rout of UNC

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Tayven Jackson threw for one score and ran for another while the defense dominated as the UCF Knights controlled from start to finish in a 34-9 victory over North Carolina Saturday in Orlando, Fla.

Jackson was 25-of-32 for 223 yards and Nyjalik Kelly and Braeden Marshall each came up with a first-half interception for UCF (3-0).

The Knights rolled up 368 yards as Scott Frost won his 16th consecutive game as the head coach.

UNC (2-2) had allowed only nine points in its last two contests but didn’t have the same kind of success against UCF as its two-game winning streak ended.

The Tar Heels also lost starting quarterback Gio Lopez in the third quarter. He was injured while running to convert on fourth-and-1 with 6:45 to go and did not return.

Max Johnson took his place and threw a touchdown pass to Kobe Paysour with 1:06 remaining in the quarter for UNC’s lone touchdown. UNC tallied 217 yards and is 0-2 against the Big 12 this season.

The first ever meeting between the schools marked a reunion of Frost and UNC’s Bill Belichick. Frost played for the New York Jets in the late 1990s when Belichick was their defensive coordinator.

Jackson capped a successful opening drive with a 13-yard keeper to his right at the 8:23 mark of the first quarter. The Knights consumed nearly seven minutes and converted a fourth-and-1.

They nearly stretched their lead after Antoine Jackson ran back an interception 40 yards to the end zone, but a penalty negated it.

Moments later, with 6:17 on the clock, a Lopez pass was batted away and Kelly came up with it at the 27-yard line. The bonus possession led to Noe Ruelas’ 36-yard field goal and a 10-0 advantage with 4:51 remaining.

Ruelas added a 41-yard kick, his longest of the year, with 10:03 to go in the half, extending the UCF lead to 13-0.

Marshall’s interception off a ball tipped in the air inside the UCF 10 killed a potential UNC scoring drive with 5:39 to play in the half.

After Rece Verhoff nailed a 40-yard field goal for the Tar Heels’ first points, UCF made the most of the final 1:23, capping a six-play, 83-yard drive on Jackson’s touchdown toss to an open Kylan Fox with 13 seconds showing on the clock.

UCF led 20-3 at halftime and Myles Montgomery pushed his way into the end zone at the 9:51 mark of the third as the Knights extended their cushion to 27-3.

The Knights were never seriously threatened and ate up more than 10 minutes of clock in the fourth with an 18-play drive, closing it thanks to Jaden Nixon’s 5-yard touchdown run for a 34-9 lead with 1:57 to go.

–Field Level Media