Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Steve Belichick resigned as North Carolina's defensive coordinator.
Steve Belichick resigned as defensive coordinator amid an investigation into drug use inside the North Carolina football program. His wife released a statement on the decision after the fact.
She says misinformation surrounds the resignation. She didn’t provide a ton of clarity but insisted that the family is prioritizing health above all else.
Belichick was hired in 2025 to coach alongside his father and brother at North Carolina. His tenure in Chapel Hill lasted just one year.
This summer, he went on medical leave a few weeks before the start of the regular season. He was not on the sidelines for the Tar Heels’ first two games.
On Thursday, it was announced that he will not be returning for the 2026 season. The news comes in the midst of off-field drama.
Steve Belichick resigned.
The defense was good but not great in his lone season at the helm. The unit ranked 66th nationally in points per game. It largely struggled against P4 competition.
The Tar Heels allowed 28 points or more in six games. The team went 4-8 as a result. Improvement was expected to be seen in Year 2. It will not come under (Steve) Belichick.
An investigation began in the offseason, sparked by accusations against General Manager Michael Lombardi, who resigned in late August.
The probe, however, was not focused on Lombardi alone. Lawyers hired by UNC to conduct the investigation were also “questioning people” about Belichick’s potential drug use. There were concerns that he might’ve used drugs while on campus and/or provided drugs to at least one player on the team
There were also allegations of potential sexual relations between assistant coaches and recruiting staff.
Belichick went on medical leave before the season. The investigation created speculation as to his return. Before the third game of the season, he confirmed that he will not be back with the team.
Jen Belichick issues statement.
The reasoning for that resignation is still somewhat unclear. The school found that “certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina’s values and standards of conduct.”
Bill Belichick said that the wrongdoing was “isolated in scope and not a systematic failure.” He has since promoted his other son, Brian, to lead the defense.
A few hours after the news broke, Jen Belichick issued a statement to provide some sense of clarity.
A statement from Jen Belichick, the wife of Steve Belichick, on behalf of their family to ESPN:
“We are grateful for our time and our opportunity in Chapel Hill, and we are very proud of our influence on the positive direction of the program. Our priority will always be to show…
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 17, 2026
In her reply, she alluded to “misinformation and speculation about (the) own situation.” She did not open up on the factors that led to the decision, or the supposed lies being reported.
No one, outside of the Belichick family, knows exactly what transpired behind closed doors. Jen Belichick says that some of the claims made against her husband are false.
All we are sure of is that Steve Belichick will not be back on the sidelines this season.