With the season opener looming, the Tar Heels face a leadership crisis as defensive coordinator Steve Belichick joins GM Michael Lombardi on the sidelines during preseason camp.
North Carolina's football program is dealing with another unexpected challenge less than a month before opening the season against TCU.
Just days after longtime general manager Michael Lombardi was placed on administrative leave, Bill Belichick announced Thursday that defensive coordinator Steve Belichick has stepped away from the program on medical leave.
According to Doug Samuels of FootballScoop, Belichick told reporters his son will return "as soon as possible" but declined to provide a timetable.
He also did not identify who would assume Steve Belichick's responsibilities while he is away.
The two situations are unrelated.
But ... with the Tar Heels scheduled to face TCU on Aug. 29 in Dublin, North Carolina is now preparing for fall camp without two of the most prominent figures Belichick brought with him from the NFL.
As our own Nathan Karseno reported earlier this week, Lombardi was placed on administrative leave after a former football staffer filed a human resources complaint with the university.
Through his attorney, Tom Mars, Lombardi said he has not been informed of the allegations against him, is fully cooperating with the investigation and expects the review to be "swift, thorough and fair."
Athletic director Steve Newmark has also stressed that the university intends to conduct a full review despite the season quickly approaching, saying UNC will not compromise the integrity of the investigation by rushing the process.
Steve Belichick's leave stems from a separate medical matter, but it creates another hurdle for a North Carolina program looking to bounce back from a disappointing debut season under Bill Belichick.
The Tar Heels finished 4-8 in 2025, their fewest wins since 2018.
That season began with a 48-14 loss to TCU before North Carolina missed a bowl game, while the Horned Frogs finished 9-4 and capped the year with an overtime victory over USC in the Alamo Bowl.
Steve Belichick was expected to play a significant role in helping North Carolina's defense improve during the second season of his father's tenure.
Whether he'll return before the Tar Heels travel to Ireland remains unclear. TCU's preparation won't change because of the development.
However, its opponent will continue without another trusted member of Bill Belichick's staff at a pivotal point in the preseason.
