Heading into Week 6 against the Clemson Tigers, North Carolina sat at 2-2, still chasing its first win over a Power Four team in the Bill Belichick era. However, things haven’t gone well.
After the first half, the Tar Heels trailed 35-3, and with another poor showing against a Power Four team, calls for the legendary head coach to step away from the program are growing louder.
Are UNC Fans Ready to See Bill Belichick Step Down?
Belichick has struggled to find success with the Tar Heels against top-tier opponents this season. In North Carolina’s season opener, they were blown out by TCU 48-14. After wins over Charlotte and Richmond, they were again dominated by a Power Conference team, falling 34-9 to UCF.
North Carolina’s Week 6 game against Clemson on Saturday was considered Belichick’s last chance to deliver a solid performance against a strong opponent.
But after an embarrassing first-half showing, many fans have taken to the internet to voice concerns about the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach.
One fan called Belichick’s performance against the Tigers “embarrassing” and joked that former North Carolina head coach Mack Brown is probably thrilled to see Belichick struggling.
Somebody needs to tell Bill Belichick this isn’t working, if the 35-3 score isn’t an indication.
This is embarrassing, after the ridiculous offseason as well.
Somewhere, Mack Brown is smirking
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 4, 2025
“Somebody needs to tell Bill Belichick this isn’t working, if the 35-3 score isn’t an indication,” the fan wrote. This is embarrassing, after the ridiculous offseason as well. Somewhere, Mack Brown is smirking.”
Another fan compared Belichick’s tenure at UNC to the infamous Fyre Festival, writing, “The Bill Belichick UNC era is becoming college football’s Fyre Fest.”
The Bill Belichick UNC era is becoming ccollege football’s Fyre Fest. https://t.co/X9edciUmDA
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 4, 2025
One fan even claimed they could coach the Tar Heels better than Belichick and said they’d do it for “1/40” of his salary.
Hey, @UNC, I guarantee I could give you exactly the same football results as this for 1/40th of the salary. But add those extra millions saved on me to funnel into additional NIL, and I guarantee a much better product. Just putting it out there… #Heels #UNC
— Jason Staples (@DocStaples) October 4, 2025
“Hey, @UNC, I guarantee I could give you exactly the same football results as this for 1/40th of the salary,” the fan posted on X. “But add those extra millions saved on me to funnel into additional NIL, and I guarantee a much better product. Just putting it out there.”
Even prominent media figures joined the conversation. Barstool Sports founder and longtime Patriots fan Dave Portnoy said he wouldn’t blame Belichick if he quit at halftime, writing, “I would not hold it against Belichick if he just quit at halftime and was never seen again. Somebody has to get him the hell out of college football asap.”
I would not hold it against Belichick if he just quit at halftime and was never seen again. Somebody has to get him the hell out of college football asap
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 4, 2025
Another fan joked that Belichick might take drastic action at the break after Clemson’s explosive first half, writing,”*Inserts joke about Bill Belichick firing his defensive coordinator at halftime.*”
*Inserts joke about Bill Belichick firing his defensive coordinator at halftime*
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 4, 2025
Considering his legendary track record, it’s hard to believe just how bad things have gotten for North Carolina under Belichick. While most expected 2025 to be a transition year for both him and the Tar Heels, few thought the on-field product would look this rough.
What’s worse for UNC is that this is just their first ACC game, meaning there’s still a long road ahead before the season wraps up, and things could get even uglier in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels will try to salvage some dignity in the second half. North Carolina’s matchup with Clemson continues on ESPN.
