Belichick replaces son with another familiar face at UNC

North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach Bill Belichick. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bill Belichick replaces son with another familiar face at UNC after scandal resignation

By Ernesto Cova | Last updated Sep 17, 2026 1:09 PM ET

Legendary head coach Bill Belichick is keeping matters in the family at UNC.

With his son Steve, the program's defensive coordinator, resigning amid an investigation and a drug-related scandal, the future Hall of Famer is turning to another familiar face — literally.

According to a report by CBS Sports insider Matt Zenitz, the Tar Heels will appoint defensive backs and safeties coach Brian Belichick, another of Bill's sons, to take over as defensive coordinator. He's already worked with his father on the New England Patriots, and he's been the team's defensive play-caller in Steve's absence.

Brian Belichick to take over brother Steve as UNC's defensive coordinator

"Secondary coach Brian Belichick is currently expected to be North Carolina’s defensive play-caller moving forward, sources tell CBS Sports," Zenitz shared on X. "(Brian) Has called UNC’s first two games, as was reported by Bruce Feldman too, and the expectation is he’ll continue on as the play-caller."

Secondary coach Brian Belichick is currently expected to be North Carolina’s defensive play-caller moving forward, sources tell @CBSSports.

Has called UNC’s first two games, as was reported by @BruceFeldmanCFB too, and the expectation is he’ll continue on as the play-caller. pic.twitter.com/wveg62bYiT
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 17, 2026

While some might complain about nepotism in sports, it's not like Belichick has a ton of options right now. His Tar Heels tenure has been stained by off-field issues, and now this scandal threatens to draw even more negative attention to the highest-paid public employee at North Carolina.

Brian Belichick was an assistant coach in New England during his father's last eight years with the Patriots and even stayed as safeties coach in Jerod Mayo's lone season.

The Tar Heels hired Bill Belichick in an attempt to finally turn things around for a program better known for basketball than for its success on the gridiron. To say that things haven't worked out that way would be a huge understatement, but at least Bill Belichick is surrounding himself with people he trusts.

Ernesto Cova

Ernesto is a bilingual (English-Spanish) sports writer with over eight years of experience covering major leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Ernesto’s work focuses on providing insightful, up-to-date coverage of sports, blending his expertise in sports psychology with a passion for analyzing player performance, team dynamics, and trade developments across various sports leagues

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