Bill Belichick will be without a key figure in North Carolina when the season begins

Bill Belichick’s second season at North Carolina is set to begin with a significant absence on his coaching staff.

Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick isn’t expected to be with the Tar Heels when they open the 2026 season against TCU on Saturday, Aug. 29, in Dublin, Ireland. Steve , the son of the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach, has been on indefinite medical leave since early August.

North Carolina hasn’t provided further details about Steve’s medical situation or offered a timetable for his return. The program has also declined to provide additional public information regarding his absence.

Steve’s absence leaves the Tar Heels without the coach responsible for coordinating a defense that will be looking to make major improvements this season.

He served as North Carolina’s defensive coordinator last year after previously working on his father’s staff with the New England Patriots. He also spent the 2024 season as Washington’s defensive coordinator.

The timing is less than ideal for a team facing a challenging opening assignment against TCU on an international stage.

Bill Belichick set to take a bigger role on defense

With Steve unavailable, Bill Belichick and defensive line coach Bob Diaco have reportedly worked together throughout the preseason on defensive preparations. Bill is expected to handle the defensive play-calling duties against TCU, giving him another major responsibility on game day.

The veteran coach has previously declined to discuss his son’s medical leave in detail. Instead, he’s emphasized that North Carolina’s defense is prepared collectively by the coaching staff and that the group will continue working together despite Steve’s absence.

That approach will be tested immediately against TCU. The matchup marks North Carolina’s first international football game, with the Tar Heels traveling to Dublin for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET, with the game set to air on ESPN.

There’s plenty riding on the opener for Belichick. His first season in Chapel Hill produced a disappointing 4-8 record, and the Tar Heels are under pressure to show meaningful progress in year two.

The program will be hoping the experience of its Hall of Fame-caliber head coach can translate into better results on the field.

After facing TCU, North Carolina will return home to prepare for East Tennessee State. The Tar Heels then face a demanding stretch as they begin ACC play, making a strong opening performance even more important.

At this time the program’s attention is on getting through the season opener without Steve Belichick on the sideline. His health remains the primary concern, but his absence also places additional responsibility on his father and the rest of the defensive staff.

Bill Belichick has spent decades navigating unexpected challenges, and he’ll now face another one at North Carolina.

How effectively the Tar Heels adjust without their defensive coordinator could become one of the early storylines of the 2026 season.