NCAAF News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

Power Rankings

Possible Head Coach Candidates for North Carolina

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mike Huesmann | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 8:24 PM ET

The Bill Belichick era in Chapel Hill, N.C. might be over not long after it started. The Tar Heels (2-3, 0-1 ACC) have lost all three of their Power Four conference games by at least 25 points. The off-the-field drama has created a side show within a sideshow that no one wants and some will have little patience for.

I do think Belichick finishes the season, but I don’t think he makes it to January as head coach. Two head coaching searches in 12 months is not what any team wants to do, but UNC might be forced into it. If they make a change, here are five options.

Jon Sumrall

Head Coach, Tulane

Sumrall was rumored by many to be a top option for this job last year and it only makes sense that they would give him another call. Sumrall should be coaching a P4 program by now. This was a major coup for the Green Wave after losing Willie Fritz. Sumrall was 23-4 in two years at Troy and is 14-6 in his second year at Tulane. He moved to a school with more resources and recruiting talent around it and is currently 5-1 (2-0 American). This looks like a stepping stone for him. He is a guy that many P4 programs will vet if they have openings. He’d be a good hire for anyone with an opening.

Bob Chesney

Head Coach, James Madison

Chesney led Holy Cross to four consecutive playoff appearances before moving to JMU prior to 2024 season. He held a 44-21 record at Holy Cross and is 13-5 with the Dukes (4-1, 2-0 Sun Belt). His head coach stops also include stops at Assumption and Salve Regina. He had been mentioned as a P4 candidate for other jobs on the East Coast. JMU are my pick to win the Sun Belt East and if they do, he’s a strong candidate for this or better jobs. His experience in the Mid-Atlantic and reputation of being top notch could make him a contender at North Carolina.

Alex Golesh

Head Coach, USF

In 2023, Golesh was fantastic. His first season where the Bulls went 7-6 doesn’t tell the story of how much they improved. They were an absolutely terrible team under Jeff Scott, who was 4-26 in three seasons. They went to a bowl game in year one with Golesh. This season has started well for the No. 24 Bulls (4-1, 1-0 American) and wins over Boise State (3-2, 1-0 Mountain West) and Florida (2-3, 1-1 SEC) have made people notice. He has Power Four experience as an offensive coordinator at Tennessee and prior to that was at UCF, Iowa State, Illinois and Toledo, among others. He’s been a fast riser for multiple years.

Charles Huff

Head Coach, Southern Miss

Huff came to USM from Marshall and before that was Nick Saban’s RB coach at Alabama. He went to a bowl game every year and won the Sun Belt in year four. Southern Miss has started the season 4-2 and 2-0 in SBC play, eclipsing last season’s win total. He is a winner who the now, out of work, Marshall AD should have convinced to stay. Southern Miss is ahead of schedule on his overhaul and looks set to make a bowl game this year. Improving by over five games in one year is tremendous. He is another guy with Mid-Atlantic roots who would be a solid fit for this job.

Jay Bateman

Defensive Coordinator, Texas A&M

A former Tar Heel assistant coach under Mack Brown, Bateman is now leading the defense for the No. 5 Aggies (5-0, 2-0 SEC) in a season where they look like a solid bet to make the College Football Playoff. His stops include Florida, Army and Ball State, among others. Bateman and Mike Elko have this defense playing tough in the trenches and not giving up easy points, though they are committing a decent amount of penalties. If The Aggies make a playoff trip and some things fall in his favor, I think he’s a guy who could be in play here.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: