North Carolina Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick revealed on Thursday that his son, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, is on medical leave and would be unavailable to perform his duties indefinitely. The former New England Patriots coach did not detail whether his son would be available for the Tar Heels’ season-opening game against the TCU Horned Frogs in Ireland on August 29.
Football World Supports Bill Belichick After Son’s Medical Leave News
The college football community on X expressed its support for the Tar Heels’ coach and his family after the announcement.
One user on X prayed for Belichick’s family and wrote, “Football can wait. Here’s hoping Steve Belichick makes a quick and complete recovery.”
An account named ‘Foxboro Forever’ sent a get-well-soon message to the North Carolina defensive coordinator. “Get well soon, Steve,” ‘Foxboro Forever’ wrote.
MLS analyst and former USMNT player Taylor Twellman was worried about the health of Belichick’s son. He wrote, “Hope he’s ok.”
Hope he’s ok. https://t.co/5Vxzk19QI0
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) August 6, 2026
‘T-Time’ was concerned by the chaos in Chapel Hill ahead of the new season. He said, “Wtf going on in Chapel Hill? It’s a new headline every day. I hope all is well tho.”
Another user on X wished the North Carolina defensive coordinator a speedy recovery by writing, “Hopefully Steve is able to have a speedy and full recovery.”
Even an NC State Wolf Pack fan felt sorry for the Tar Heels.
“I might be getting to the point where I start feeling sorry for UNC. I mean, this is freaking crazy, man,” the NC State fan posted.
I might be getting to the point where I start feeling sorry for UNC. I mean, this is freaking crazy man. https://t.co/Vit5XyICWX
— Salzy91 / Isaac Sowells Jr Stan (@Salzy0991) August 6, 2026
One user on X prayed that Belichick’s son was not experiencing a serious health issue and said, “I hope it’s not a serious health matter. I pray he’s ok.”
Steve mainly played lacrosse for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and also appeared as a long snapper for the school’s football team. He was hired on his father’s staff at New England as a defensive assistant in 2012. He rose through the ranks as the safeties, defensive backs, and outside linebackers coach.
In 2024, he became the Washington Huskies’ outside linebackers coach and defensive coordinator before following his father to Chapel Hill as the Tar Heels’ DC.
In his sole season in Chapel Hill, Steve Belichick’s defense allowed just 3.34 plays of 20 yards or more per game, ranking at No. 11 in the country and No. 30 in yards conceded per play (4.9).
Bill Belichick’s staff is on the ropes after the Tar Heels revealed last month that general manager Michael Lombardi had been placed on leave as the program investigates his conduct.
