Head coach: Bill Belichick (2nd season at UNC, 4-8 overall)
2025 record: 4-8 overall, 2-6 in the ACC
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Summary: Belichick’s first season in Chapel Hill was a disappointment, especially against a schedule that appeared much softer than this year’s slate. Eleven of UNC’s 12 opponents finished with a winning record in 2025 and seven won at least nine games. Miami (13-3) reached the national title game, Notre Dame (10-2) was the first team left out of the College Football Playoff and Duke (9-5) and Virginia (11-3) played for the ACC title. Overall, UNC’s 12 2026 foes went 103-55 in 2025.
The Tar Heels hired veteran coach Bobby Petrino to run the offense and remade their quarterback room (out: Gio Lopez, Max Johnson, Bryce Baker; in: Billy Edwards Jr. (Wisconsin), Miles O’Neill (Texas A&M) and freshman Travis Burgess). UNC bet big on a large incoming freshman class and also added significant pieces in the transfer portal.
2026 schedule
Aug. 29: vs. TCU (Dublin, Ireland)
Sept. 12: vs. East Tennessee State
Sept. 19: at Clemson
Oct. 3: vs. Notre Dame
Oct. 10: at Pitt
Oct. 17: at Duke
Oct. 24: vs. Syracuse
Oct. 31: vs. Miami
Nov. 7: at UConn
Nov. 14: vs. Louisville
Nov. 21: at Virginia
Nov. 28: vs. NC State
