A Belichick will still call UNC’s defense, just not the one you’re thinking of

The news of Steve Belichick's resignation was revealed on Thursday morning, a development that probably didn't shock many people.

Belichick hasn't been with the Tar Heels since August 6 after being placed on medical leave. North Carolina has had to make due ever since, re-allocating assignments along the coaching staff to help fill the void.

When your head coach is a six-time Super Bowl winning head coach and also won a pair of championship titles as a defensive coordinator, it shouldn't be difficult to find someone to lead the unit.

The expectation through the first two weeks of the regular season was that Bill Belichick, along with Bob Diaco, were the ones running the defensive operations. However, the head coach of the Tar Heels hasn't been the one calling plays, it's yet another member of his family tree.

Moving forward, the Tar Heels seem to be sticking to that plan.

Brian Belichick to continue serving as UNC's defensive play-caller

With Steve Belichick officially off the staff at North Carolina, secondary coach Brian Belichick, who has been calling the defensive plays through the early portion of the 2026 season, will resume that role.

Listen, you know what they say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

North Carolina's defense has looked outstanding through two games. After allowing 10 points to TCU in the first quarter of the season-opener in Ireland, the Tar Heels defense has allowed just three points over the last seven quarters of football, including a full game without star defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude.

Of course, the schedule is set to ramp up, so we'll see what this unit is really made of, but for now, give credit where credit's due.

Without a doubt, having Bill Belichick, one of the greatest defensive minds to ever coach the sport, sure does help to have on the sidelines. While Brian Belichick will be tabbed with calling plays, it should be expected that this will still be a collaborative approach, as the staff has very capable contributors who can work together to help keep the defense success rolling.

For those of you who thought Bill Belichick would resume play-calling duties... did you expect ANOTHER Belichick to be taking on the role?!

With this saga hopefully moving past the program, it's time to move forward. The media and the outside world have been the ones really harboring on the situation, whereas those in the building in Chapel Hill have been focused on stacking up wins.

This news really doesn't change much, given it's simply how they've been going about business since Steve Belichick went on medical leave. Expect the Tar Heels to keep focusing on business, as the only difference is that his absence isn't hanging over the program's head anymore.

Now, it's simply time to focus on Clemson.

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