A new football era for the North Carolina Tar Heels is soon going to start as Bill Belichick becomes the head coach for UNC. Yes! He is becoming a college football coach for the first time, and it’s really happening. North Carolina made headlines by announcing Belichick’s hiring to replace Mack Brown. This means that the legendary coach, known for his record six Super Bowl wins in New England (eight overall), will be roaming the sidelines in the ACC next fall, trying to guide North Carolina through a new era of college football. But will he be on the sidelines for North Carolina’s bowl game against UConn?

Well, no! Although he’s officially the new head coach, Belichick won’t be coaching during this bowl game because his tenure with the Tar Heels officially starts in 2025. So, while fans might be excited about his future with the program, they’ll have to wait a bit longer to see him in action.

Now the question is, if not Belichick, then who? Freddie Kitchens will take the reins as interim head coach for the bowl game. Kitchens is finishing up his second season as North Carolina’s run game coordinator and tight ends coach. He’s part of a group of assistants coordinating the offense since Chip Lindsey, the previous offensive coordinator, recently departed for Michigan.

Talking about Kitchens’ career, he isn’t new to coaching; he has experience as a head coach in the NFL, where he led the Cleveland Browns to a 6-10 record during the 2019 season. Before that, he spent over a decade in various assistant roles in the NFL. While he may not have worked directly under Belichick during his time in New England, Kitchens has a solid background that will help guide the team through this transition.

Although this bowl game will be played with an interim coach at the helm, it still carries significant weight as it marks a turning point for North Carolina football. The Tar Heels have faced their share of ups and downs this season, and with Belichick’s arrival on the horizon, there’s a palpable excitement about what’s to come. Moving forward, let’s discuss Belichick’s first great move as he joins UNC.

Three-time Super Bowl champ joins UNC under Bill Belichick

Just last year, Belichick was at the helm of the Patriots, leading them through ups and downs after the departure of Tom Brady in 2020. Sadly, things took a turn when he couldn’t quite find success without Brady, ultimately leading to his exit after an impressive 24-year run.

After the Patriots mutually agreed to part ways with him last year, he struggled to find a spot in any other team, but his passion for coaching did not stop. Now, he is here at the NCAA, ready to tackle the challenges of college football.

In recent days, Belichick has been busy assembling his coaching staff, and he’s bringing along some heavy hitters. One notable addition is Steve Belichick, Bill’s son and a three-time Super Bowl champion himself. Steve will take on the role of defensive coordinator for the Tar Heels, adding a familiar face to the coaching lineup. Having spent years as an assistant with the Patriots, Steve brings valuable experience and insight that will help shape UNC’s defensive strategy moving forward.

As UNC prepares for this new era under Belichick’s leadership, there’s a palpable sense of excitement around the program. The Tar Heels have struggled to find their footing in recent years, but with a coach of Belichick’s caliber at the helm, there’s hope for a brighter future. Do you feel the same?