Everything Bill Belichick Said After UNC's Season-Opening Win vs. TCU in Ireland

Bill Belichick and North Carolina opened the 2026 season on a high note with a 15-10 win over TCU in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.

Belichick was proud of his team after the game.

"It was a great team win for us," Belichick said during his press conference (1:00 mark). "I can't say enough about the efforts of everybody. Our scout players, guys that didn't even play in the game, did a great job of getting the guys who did play ready in terms of practice reps and looks that TCU ran. TCU is a good football team and they certainly did some things that were difficult for us, but I thought our players responded well and tried to step up to the challenge."

Belichick was also asked if he called the Tar Heels' defensive plays while his son, North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, remains on medical leave.

"Defensively, we game-planned and it won us this game," Bill told reporters (3:30 mark).

He discussed his viral reaction to the Tar Heels sealing the win as well.

"It's a good feeling to win the game," Belichick told reporters (5:40 mark). "We worked hard. We put a lot into it and this goes all the way back to preseason workouts, spring practice, summer workouts, training camp. It's all a point to get ready for the season. Not necessarily this one game, getting ready for the season. And then the last eight to nine days, we've poured a lot in TCU. Certainly we didn't play competitively enough last year, but this year these guys came out with a whole different attitude and they were gonna fight for 60 minutes and they did."

The 74-year-old was satisfied with the overall result, but wanted his team to keep building momentum moving forward.

"I'm just happy for the players. They've worked really hard," Belichick said, per the Associated Press. "To have positive results back up that hard work, reinforces it. I think they've been believing in what we're doing, but I think this just gives everybody a little bit more belief and we've just got to keep building."

North Carolina previously fell to TCU by the final score of 48-14 to begin the 2025 season.

It marked the start of a disappointing year in which the Tar Heels ultimately compiled a 4-8 record. They particularly struggled in close matchups, finishing at 1-3 in one-score games.

That wasn't the case on Saturday, though.

TCU took an early 10-3 lead in the first quarter, but North Carolina tied the game heading into the second following a nine-yard rushing touchdown from Jaylen McGill.

The Tar Heels eventually jumped back in front with a safety following a snap that sailed over the head of TCU punter John Hoyet Chance, who kicked the ball out of the back of the end zone.

North Carolina extended its lead with a field goal and TCU struggled to extend drives in order to respond, converting just one of five opportunities on fourth down.

The Tar Heels faced their own fourth down with one yard to gain on their final drive as they looked to prevent the Horned Frogs from securing another possession. North Carolina was able to get TCU to jump offsides before snapping the ball, moving the chains and sealing the win.

Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. finished 16-of-28 for 232 yards without tossing a touchdown or an interception. North Carolina's leading receiver was Jelani Thurman, who amassed 94 yards on just four catches.

The Tar Heels' defense held TCU scoreless over the final three quarters, limiting the Horned Frogs to a mere 2.7 yards per carry as a team.