North Carolina expected to be without DC Steve Belichick against TCU

North Carolina Tar Heels defensive coach Steve Belichick. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

North Carolina expected to be without DC Steve Belichick against TCU

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Aug 27, 2026 4:17 PM ET

It's not often that the odds have been against Bill Belichick in his career as a head football coach. When you've got eight Super Bowl rings (including two as a defensive coordinator) that's just the pleasant reality.

He's heading into the 2026 college football season under some massive pressure, though. The North Carolina Tar Heels hired him ahead of the 2025 season even though he never coached college football before, and year one was not good.

Not even considering the off-field drama surrounding his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, Belichick suffered through a 4-8 season at North Carolina.

Perhaps his Super Bowl experiences were no help in today's topsy-turvy world of college football?

That's the question that Belichick will answer in 2026 one way or the other, but life just got harder for him heading into the Tar Heels' Week 1 matchup against the TCU Horned Frogs.

According to On3, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is not expected to be with the team in Week 1. The Tar Heels play the Horned Frogs on Saturday in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic from Dublin, Ireland.

NEW: North Carolina DC Steve Belichick is not expected to be with the team to open the season Saturday in Dublin vs. TCU, @PeteNakos and @InsideCarolina report.

The son of head coach Bill Belichick has been on indefinite medical leave since early August.… pic.twitter.com/H79Bmevw8P
— On3 (@On3) August 27, 2026

Steve Belichick has been on a medical leave since early August, but reasons for the leave have not been revealed to the public.

Steve Belichick won't coach for North Carolina vs. TCU

Defensive line coach Bob Diaco, the former head coach of the UConn Huskies, is reportedly helping Bill Belichick with game prep, and the head coach is expected to call the defense during the game.

Bill Belichick has also downplayed the impact of not having Steve Belichick at the game.

“We coach defense collectively as staff, and we will continue to do that,” Bill Belichick has previously said, per On3.

Steve Belichick has coached under Bill Belichick throughout his coaching career. They've coached together with the New England Patriots and after a stint as the defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies in 2024, Steve became North Carolina's defensive coordinator under his father last season.

In 2025, North Carolina's defense was ranked seventh in the ACC in total defense, giving up 336.9 total yards per game.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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