Oct 4, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Belichick Faces Questions Amid UNC Football Culture Issues

Originally posted on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI
By Sienna Ayes | Last updated Oct 8, 2025 3:00 PM ET

North Carolina football’s first season under Bill Belichick has taken another sharp turn, as reports of locker room division and a staff suspension highlight growing instability in Chapel Hill.

In the past week, WRAL reported that several new developments have raised questions about the program’s culture and direction. Cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins was suspended after allegations surfaced that he provided certain players with additional benefits, a move confirmed by the university.

Hawkins, one of the youngest members of Belichick’s staff, had previously held analyst and recruiting positions at Washington, Arizona, and Colorado before joining UNC.

The Suspension Breakdown

The suspension follows a month marked by criticism of the team’s organization and communication. Inside sources and player families have described a program struggling to find balance under Belichick’s leadership style, which mirrors the structure he implemented during his years in the NFL. Those close to the team say the adjustment has been difficult for players used to a more player-focused, college-driven environment.

UNC’s 38-10 loss to Clemson last weekend only added to the tension. The defeat was the program’s third straight, dropping the Tar Heels below .500 midway through the season. Attendance at Kenan Stadium has continued to decline, and frustration among fans and alumni has become increasingly visible.

Belichick was brought to Chapel Hill to rebuild UNC football into a national contender and bring a new level of discipline to the program. Instead, the team is facing mounting questions about morale, player development, and leadership consistency.

Within the building, several staff members have privately acknowledged that the transition from Mack Brown’s player-first model to Belichick’s more rigid system has created friction.

For players, the shift has been just as stark. Returning veterans who were recruited under Brown’s staff are now sharing a locker room with transfers brought in under Belichick’s new regime, creating a visible divide in expectations and leadership style.

Meanwhile, Belichick has kept his focus publicly on the field, declining to comment in detail about the program’s internal issues. When asked about the team’s progress earlier this week, he simply said the staff was “working to build consistency.”

That consistency has been difficult to find. Between a struggling defense, inconsistent quarterback play, and mounting off-field challenges, the Tar Heels are fighting to stabilize a season that has quickly turned turbulent.

The long-term question is whether the program’s foundation can withstand the growing pressure. Belichick’s leadership was supposed to bring order to UNC football. So far, it has brought something else entirely: uncertainty.

Please

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

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