The UNC football program will have an incredible opportunity to have the entire country's eyes on Chapel Hill to start the season. North Carolina will begin next season by hosting Texas Christian on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025 (7:30 pm EST).
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) January 23, 2025
This is an incredible opportunity for the UNC football program and Bill Belichick as he makes his college football coaching debut. The NFL season won't kick off until the following Thursday, and college football will have a warm start with "Week Zero" games, which North Carolina participated in two seasons ago with a memorable visit from Florida A&M.
Bill Belichick is no stranger to Monday Night Football during his time with the Patriots (he was 21-10 on Monday nights while head coach in New England), but it will be the first time North Carolina has hosted a football game on a night usually reserved for the pros. Kenan Stadium always looks great under the lights, and fans curious to see what the next era of Tar Heel football looks like will have an entire holiday weekend to get ready for it.
TCU finished last season 9-4, capping the season with a resounding win over Louisiana in the New Mexico Bowl. Coach Sonny Dykes won't be in awe of Coach Belichick; after all, it was just two seasons ago he took an underdog Horned Frogs team to the national title game. Never mind the 65-7 bare-bottom spanking Georgia gave them; getting to the title game from Fort Worth is a huge deal. North Carolina should expect nothing but a challenging game against a well-coached team.
If you have not secured season tickets yet, this is yet another reason to get excited about football in Chapel Hill. Not just anyone can play college football on Monday night. Let's see if Coach Belichick and the Tar Heels can take advantage of the opportunity.