STEVE BELICHICK RESIGNS AS NORTH CAROLINA DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Steve Belichick has resigned as North Carolina's defensive coordinator, according to a report by Pete Thamel of ESPN. The resignation comes two weeks after North Carolina general manager Michael Lombardi resigned during an investigation into his conduct while working for the university's football programme. Steve Belichick, son of head coach Bill Belichick, had been on medical leave since 6 August, with no details of the medical condition disclosed. WRAL reported that on the day Lombardi resigned, the investigation had broadened to include Steve Belichick, with witnesses questioned over whether he used drugs on the job or provided drugs to at least one player, according to that report.

There had reportedly been discussion, when Bill Belichick took the North Carolina job, of a succession plan under which Steve Belichick would eventually take over as head coach. According to NBC Sports, the contracts in place did not account for such a transition, and the team's 2025 performance had already made the prospect unlikely before Steve Belichick's resignation. North Carolina's team has a 2-0 record this season, NBC Sports reported. Lombardi's resignation during the same investigation preceded Steve Belichick's departure by two weeks.

NBC Sports reported that questions remain over the future of Bill Belichick's position at North Carolina, suggesting some within the university may be seeking to end the relationship, potentially through a for-cause termination that would cut off his contractual buyout. No timeline or confirmation of any such move has been reported. Yahoo Sports corroborated that Steve Belichick had resigned and confirmed he had been on medical leave since early August. Neither North Carolina nor Steve Belichick has provided further public comment on the resignation, according to the available reports.