Bill Belichick Reportedly Set to Call UNC's Defensive Plays vs. TCU Amid Son Steve's Absence

University of North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick is reportedly expected to be the defensive play-caller during the Tar Heels' season-opening game against TCU in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday.

According to On3.com's Pete Nakos, Belichick collaborated with defensive line coach Bob Diaco on a defensive gameplan, and Belichick will call the plays in the absence of his son and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick.

On Aug. 6, Bill announced that Steve was being placed on indefinite medical leave, and he did not provide a timeline for Steve's return.

This marks Belichick's second season as the head coach at UNC after making the leap from the NFL. He went 4-8 during his first campaign at the helm.

The 74-year-old Belichick is widely regarded as one of the best head coaches and defensive minds in NFL history, as he won six Super Bowls as head coach of the New England Patriots and two Super Bowls as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator.

Steve Belichick joined his father's coaching staff in New England as a defensive assistant in 2012 and later served as a safeties coach, defensive backs coach and outside linebackers coach. He also took over as the Pats' defensive play-caller in 2019.

After Bill Belichick and the Patriots decided to part ways at the conclusion of the 2023 season, Steve spent 2024 with the Washington Commanders as their defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach.

Bill took 2024 off from coaching before accepting the head coaching job at UNC for the 2025 campaign.

With Steve as his DC, Bill did not have much success during his debut season with the Tar Heels, as they went just 2-6 in ACC play and missed out on playing in a bowl game for the first time since 2018.

Bill will look to get off to a better start this year against TCU, but he won't have his son to lean on in key defensive situations.