North Carolina: Bill Belichick's Credibility Takes Hit in Latest HC Ranking

There's no question that Bill Belichick is the greatest NFL head coach of all time.

What's not yet settled is if Belichick can make the transition to coaching at the college level. Amid general manager Michael Lombardi being placed on paid administrative leave, it's fair to wonder if Belichick set himself up for success at North Carolina.

Belichick got off to a bumpy start recruiting and paid for it dearly last season. The Tar Heels finished with a 4-8 record, though they looked better in the second half of the season.

Belichick believes his roster has improved for 2026. But how much the improved roster can do against a tougher schedule this season remains to be seen. Missing a bowl game feels more likely than not. 

CBS Sports isn't buying what Belichick is selling about the fall. They ranked him as the No. 15 coach in the ACC (and 63rd nationally), down from No. 12 in 2025.

"Well, now we have an answer to the question of what it would look like if one of the greatest coaches in NFL history took on the challenge of coaching in college," Chip Patterson wrote. Last season's 4-8 campaign clearly displayed the uphill battle of wholesale roster turnover, proving that not every problem can be fixed with money. 

"The Tar Heels won fewer games while investing more in the program, which was particularly disheartening, given one of the more favorable ACC schedules. Now the schedule is tougher. Our panelists aren't buying much stock, with even the highest ballot ranking falling outside the top 50."

There are some reasons to believe a miracle could happen in Chapel Hill. New offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has had success running his schemes at pretty much every stop he's made in his career.

North Carolina's defense wasn't terrible this year. So with a much-improved offense and a slightly improved defense, the Tar Heels could look like a completely different team when they play TCU in Dublin on Aug. 29.

With that being said, Belichick will have to prove it this season. It's not just the media that is skeptical. Recruits haven't bought into the 33rd team agenda just yet, and elite players are what it takes to win at this level.