UNC coach Bill Belichick said Thursday morning that defensive coordinator and son Steve Belichick is out indefinitely on medical leave, three weeks ahead of the Tar Heels’ season opener.
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“(I) just want to let everyone know that my son Steve is on medical leave,” Bill Belichick said ahead of UNC’s final preseason camp acclimation day, “and look forward to getting him back as soon as possible.”
Bill Belichick didn’t specify whether Steve Belichick would be available by the season opener, just repeating he will return “as soon as possible” in response to a follow-up question.
Bill Belichick did not name an interim defensive coordinator, noting the staff would assume a collective effort to fill Steve Belichick’s role in the meantime. Should Steve Belichick not be ready by the season’s start, conversations about an interim defensive coordinator would occur later, Bill Belichick added.
“We coach defense collectively as staff,” Bill Belichick said, “and we will continue to do that”
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Steve Belichick is entering his second season with UNC, arriving soon after Bill Belichick became the Tar Heels’ coach. He previously served as Washington’s defensive coordinator under coach Jedd Fisch.
In a 4-8 year last season, UNC’s defense ranked 70th nationally in points allowed per game, averaging 26.2.
This is a developing story and will be updated
This story was originally published August 6, 2026 at 8:58 AM with the headline “UNC DC Steve Belichick on medical leave as Tar Heels build toward season opener.”
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