The ongoing scandal plaguing head coach Bill Belichick and the North Carolina football program took another turn on Thursday, just two days before their Week 3 matchup against Clemson. ESPN College Football senior writer Pete Thamel reported Thursday morning that Tar Heels defensive coordinator and son of Bill Belichick -- Steve Belichick -- had resigned from his post. The 39-year-old had been on administrative leave for six weeks leading up to Thursday's news.
UNC released a statement shortly after the news broke, announcing that it'd completed a "thorough and independent investigation" into the allegations "related to culture and climate within the Carolina football program." The Tar Heels also announced that wide receiver Keeyun Chapman had been suspended indefinitely. According to a report by ESPN College Football reporter David Hale, Chapman and fellow wideout C.J. Sadler face charges after a traffic stop Tuesday night.
Per the report, the former was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and the latter was charged with speeding. UNC football's former general manager Michael Lombardi was placed on administrative leave in late July and resigned in early September. That came after a human resources complaint was filed against him by a former front office employee.
Allegations against the now-ex-defensive coordinator came to light in early September, with reports that the Tar Heels were looking into whether the younger Belichick used drugs while with the team or provided drugs to at least one player. The school was also reportedly looking into a separate matter involving a UNC recruiting staff having a potential sexual relationship with a player. The younger Belichick worked under his father on the New England Patriots' coaching staff from 2012 to 2023 before serving as the University of Washington's defensive coordinator in 2024.
The Belichicks reunited when the legendary six-time Super Bowl champion was hired as the Tar Heels head coach in December 2024 and Steve was brought on later that month. UNC has started the 2026 season 2-0 with wins versus East Tennessee State and TCU.
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