North Carolina football receives bad news ahead of opener vs. TCU

North Carolina's football team faces an unexpected setback ahead of their season opener against TCU on Saturday. According to reports from On3's Pete Nakos and InsideCarolina, the team's defensive coordinator, Steve Belichick, will be absent from the game in Dublin. Belichick has been on indefinite medical leave since August 6. Head coach Bill Belichick and defensive line coach Bob Diaco have been preparing the defense, with Belichick set to call plays from the sideline.

This will be Bill Belichick's second season as North Carolina's head coach, following a tenure that saw the team win only four games last year. The 2026 college football season kicks off with the UNC-TCU game, which will be broadcast on ESPN at noon ET. Mike Monaco and Jordan Rodgers will be on hand to provide commentary.