North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick’s absence may last longer than fans hoped it would.
Three weeks ago, Bill Belichick revealed that his son was being placed on medical leave and would be out indefinitely. He wasn’t willing to comment on his status for the season opener against TCU.
“We coach defense collectively as staff and we will continue to do that,” Belichick told reporters.
Well, Pete Nakos of On3 is reporting that Steve Belichick won’t be on the sideline for North Carolina’s season opener in Ireland.
“The son of head coach Bill Belichick, Steve Belichick has been on indefinite medical leave since early August. In his absence, sources told On3 that Bill Belichick and defensive line coach Bob Diaco have collaborated on defensive game prep, with Belichick expected to handle play-calling duties,” Nakos wrote. “North Carolina officials have repeatedly failed to respond to On3’s request for comment.”
Rodd Baxley/The Fayetteville Observer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
UNC already feeling the pressure.
Even though North Carolina hasn’t stepped on the field yet, Belichick is facing nonstop criticism from the public. Just this week alone, Paul Finebaum said Belichick won’t make it through his second season at North Carolina.
“I’m not pulling for Bill Belichick. He’s a grouch. He’s a bully, and his career in college is about to go down in flames,” Finebaum said, via On3. “It is mass chaos in Chapel Hill, and I don’t believe they’ll win this game in Ireland, and I don’t think Bill Belichick is going to survive until the end of the season.”
Belichick has a golden opportunity to silence his critics this Saturday afternoon.
