Bill Belichick's UNC Offense Criticized by CFB Coach, 'Just Don't Really Understand'

At least one opposing assistant coach reportedly feels Bill Belichick still hasn't figured out how to coach at the right pace seven games into his first season with North Carolina, according to ESPN's David Hale.

The Tar Heels (2-5) are riding a four-game losing streak into a Friday night game at Syracuse, although the program is coming off two close losses to Cal and Virginia.

"They just don't really understand how to play college football with tempo and getting people in space and the RPO game," the assistant coach told Hale. "They want you to line up and show them what you're doing every snap.

"Most college teams, we just don't do that. You're going to have to react so the coordinator is going to be giving late calls most of the time, and you have to play more base."

The UNC offense has slowly begun to look more cohesive over the last two weeks after blowout losses to TCU, UCF and Clemson earlier this season.

North Carolina lost by just three points in an Oct. 17 at Cal, and came one overtime two-point conversion short of avoiding an Oct. 25 defeat by No. 16 UVA.

Whether the Tar Heels have learned enough from those losses to earn a win over Syracuse will be a major test for Belichick, especially after the head coach said Tuesday he "spent a lot of time" watching Fran Brown's program in 2024.

Belichick also noted that he had learned about the program through Oregon wide receivers coach Ross Douglas, who coached for the New England Patriots under Belichick before spending the 2024 season with Syracuse.

"The things I was doing last year, just watching them and keeping track of how efficient they were offensively, and particularly passing the ball... Rickie Collins has stepped in there, and got a little different skill set but nevertheless very dangerous with the ball in his hands," Belichick said Tuesday.

The Tar Heels defense may have to adjust to another change this weekend given that Brown said Wednesday Collins might not be starting for Syracuse.

Brown said Collins will at least be splitting snaps, likely with backup Luke Carney, after leading the Orange to an 0-4 start in the injury absence of Steve Angeli.

Whether the Tar Heels can adjust to facing a potentially more run-focused game from Carney, who has recorded four carries for 18 yards and a touchdown in limited playing time, could reveal how much Belichick has progressed nine weeks into his first college season.