Bill Belichick's Son Steve to Resign as UNC's DC Following Medical Leave

Steve Belichick, the son of legendary New England Patriots and current University of North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick, resigned from his position as UNC's defensive coordinator Thursday.

Thamel noted that the younger Belichick had been away from the team and on medical leave since Aug. 6.

Steve Belichick's wife, Jen, provided a statement to ESPN's Field Yates on behalf of the family, saying:

"We are grateful for our time and our opportunity in Chapel Hill, and we are very proud of our influence on the positive direction of the program. Our priority will always be to show up with a healthy and strong mind for ourselves and our 5 children. We are humbled by the relationships that have been fostered here in North Carolina and would like to thank each and every person that has positively impacted our experience.

"Unfortunately there is misinformation and speculation about our own situation, but we believe prioritizing health as the most important thing you can do in this life and is invaluable compared to anything else. We strongly encourage anyone in need of support to utilize their resources in order to achieve the best version of themselves. We will always be Uncle Brian and Pop's biggest supporters and have no doubt that the UNC defense is prepared to ball out. GO HEELS 🩵."

Despite Steve's absence, Bill Belichick has helped the Tar Heels get off to a 2-0 start, including a 15-10 upset of TCU in Week 0.

Steve, 39, took the UNC defensive coordinator job in December 2024 after his father surprisingly decided to make the move from the NFL to the collegiate head coaching ranks.

He was part of Bill's coaching staff with the Patriots from 2012 to 2023, serving in a multitude of roles, including defensive assistant, safeties coach, defensive backs coach and outside linebackers coach.

Steve also took over the Patriots' defensive play-caller in 2019, although he was never given the defensive coordinator title.

During his Patriots tenure, Steve was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams in New England, but his stint ended when Bill and the Patriots agreed to part ways after the 2023 season.

Bill took 2024 off from coaching, while Steve became the defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach at the University of Washington.

Steve spent just one season at Washington, as he joined Bill at UNC for the 2025 season.

In Bill Belichick's first season at the helm in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels went a disappointing 4-8, but they have looked much better so far this season with a 2-0 mark.

North Carolina has allowed a total of just 13 points over its first two games, and Bill Belichick may be the primary reason, as On3.com's Pete Nakos reported prior to Week 0 that Bill was expected to take over defensive play-calling duties.

Steve Belichick is the second significant member of the UNC football program to resign this month, as Michael Lombardi stepped away from his role as general manager on Sept. 3.

The Tar Heels will be back in action Saturday when they go on the road to face the 1-1 Clemson Tigers.