3 UNC Players and Coaches Who Cannot Afford a Slow Start

Oct 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a North Carolina Tar Heels helmet on the field before a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Brett Davis-Imagn Images

3 UNC Players and Coaches Who Cannot Afford a Slow Start

Originally posted on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI
By Logan Lazarczyk | Last updated May 17, 2026 8:00 AM ET

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The North Carolina Tar Heels failed to meet expectations in Bill Belichick's first year as the head coach in 2025.

Compiling a 4-8 record and missing out on postseason play for the first time since 2018 - when the Tar Heels finished with a 2-9 record - was something North Carolina's brass did not envision when they hired the multi-time Super Bowl-winning head coach. Yet, that's where the Tar Heels found themselves at the conclusion of last season.

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Entering 2026, there is immense pressure surrounding the program, with this upcoming season feeling like a must-have campaign. With that narrative in mind, here are the three individuals on North Carolina's staff and roster facing the most pressure as we inch closer to the 2026-27 college football season.

1. Bill Belichick

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This one goes without saying, as the 74-year-old head coach looked out of his depth, and had the program looking foolish for investing $10 million annually on him and labeling itself as the "33rd NFL team". The Tar Heels couldn't even compete with the lower teams in the ACC.

Belichick's rigid ways may have worked years ago, but even that wore off in his final years in Foxboro, culminating in his tenure with the New England Patriots feeling like an inevitable outcome. Belichick could face an expedited end to his tenure in Chapel Hill with another underwhelming season. In addition to being 4-8 last season, North Carolina finished 13th in the ACC.

2. Bobby Petrino

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If there was one aspect of the Tar Heels' operation that was unwatchable and embarrassing, it was their mundane and uninspiring offense. Belichick fired Freddie Kitchens and hired Petrino as his new offensive coordinator.

Similar to North Carolina's offensive scheme, Petrino's appointment as the play-caller was uninspiring. Nonetheless, the 65-year-old offensive coordinator must revive an offense that had its starting quarterback - Gio Lopez - throw 10 touchdowns in 11 starts.

Travis Burgess

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Speaking of the quarterback, through no fault of his own, Burgess has inherited significant pressure despite this being his first offseason in Chapel Hill. North Carolina has collected several signal callers this offseason via the transfer portal, but none of those options are intimidating for an opposing defense to prepare for.

If the Tar Heels want to exceed expectations next season, Burgess needs to establish himself as the QB1 early on in training camp. He is clearly the most talented player in the quarterback room and can elevate this offense to another level in 2026.

This article first appeared on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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