As North Carolina coach Bill Belichick prepares for his second season at the college level, one of his top assistants (and one of his sons) is currently not with the team.
Via Andrea Adelson of ESPN, Belichick announced on Thursday that defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is on medical leave indefinitely.
Bill Belichick shared no other details.
As to whether Steve Belichick will be back for the season opener on August 29 in Ireland, Bill Belichick said only that the Tar Heels “look forward to getting him back as soon as possible.”
No interim defensive coordinator will be named, for now.
“We coach defense collectively as a staff and we will continue to do that,” Bill Belichick said.
Also on leave, due to an internal investigation, is North Carolina G.M. Michael Lombardi.
Steve Belichick worked for Bill with the Patriots from 2012 through 2023. In 2024, Steve served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington. He joined UNC when Bill took the job in 2025.
