The Horned Frogs must navigate an international debut and a new-look offense while staring down the legendary architect of the NFL’s greatest defenses in a high-stakes opener.
TCU knew it was opening the season against Bill Belichick, though it may not have expected to be opening against Bill Belichick's defense.
North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is not expected to be with the Tar Heels when they face the Horned Frogs on Saturday in Dublin, according to On3.
That leaves his dad with another job.
Bill Belichick is expected to handle North Carolina's defensive play-calling against TCU as Steve remains on medical leave.
Steve has been away from the program since Aug. 6. North Carolina has not disclosed further details about his absence or provided a timetable for his return.
In the meantime, Bill Belichick and defensive line coach Bob Diaco have reportedly collaborated on North Carolina's defensive preparation.
So no … TCU isn't dealing with a defensive coordinator disappearing two days before kickoff and leaving everybody else scrambling.
The Tar Heels have had weeks to prepare for this possibility.
That doesn't make the change irrelevant.
Steve served as North Carolina's defensive coordinator during Bill's first season in Chapel Hill after holding the same position at Washington in 2024. Now, the Horned Frogs could spend their first game of 2026 trying to solve a defense being called by one of the most accomplished defensive coaches football has ever seen.
Bill certainly isn't unfamiliar with coaching defense.
And now he'll reportedly have the play sheet against TCU.
That's another unknown for a Horned Frogs team already dealing with plenty of them.
TCU is preparing to unveil a new-look offense in Dublin, with Harvard transfer Jaden Craig taking over at quarterback and Gordon Sammis taking over as the Horned Frogs' offensive play-caller.
Oh, and they'll be doing it in the program's first international game.
New quarterback. New offensive play-caller. Dublin.
Now Bill Belichick calling the defense on the other side.
TCU has at least seen North Carolina before.
The Horned Frogs opened last season with a 48-14 win in Chapel Hill, beginning a 9-4 campaign while North Carolina stumbled to 4-8 in Belichick's first season.
That game didn't exactly give TCU much reason to fear the rematch.
Saturday won't be the same game.
Different quarterback. Different offensive play-caller. Different country … and, if the latest reporting holds, a different Belichick calling North Carolina's defense.
TCU's season opener was already going to look different.
It just found another way.
