University of North Carolina defensive coordinator Steve Belichick has resigned following an independent investigation into the culture and climate of the Tar Heels football program, the university announced Thursday, Sept. 17. Belichick, the 39-year-old son of head coach Bill Belichick, has been on medical leave since early August. His resignation will become effective on Oct. 27, the date his medical leave concludes, according to university officials.
Steve Belichick Resigns Amid UNC Football Investigation
The university stated that the investigation determined that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina's values and standards of conduct.
However, UNC characterized these actions as being isolated in scope
and noted they did not constitute a systemic failure.
Dean Stoyer, the university’s vice chancellor for communications and marketing, stated that all necessary corrective actions are now underway and will be overseen by the Office of University Counsel and Carolina Athletics. The university now considers the matter resolved, though it will evaluate any credible new information that may emerge.
Scope of the Investigation and Allegations
The inquiry began in late July after the university placed general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave on July 27. Lombardi, a longtime confidant of Bill Belichick, resigned from his position on Sept. 3. He and Steve Belichick were the only two individuals to resign during the course of the investigation, according to UNC vice chancellor and general counsel Paul Newton.
Nate Huff, a former federal prosecutor and partner at the law firm Barnes & Thornburg who was hired as the private lawyer to lead the investigation, confirmed that his review included allegations related to drugs. Reports from Raleigh TV station WRAL indicated that investigators questioned whether Steve Belichick used drugs at university facilities or provided them to at least one player. Other lines of inquiry included the general working environment—specifically whether young employees had proper mentorship and supervision—and allegations of an inappropriate relationship between a player and a staff member.
Huff stated that Bill Belichick made all staff members available to investigators and that he had full run of the facility
to conduct a thorough review. While the university confirmed that some conduct breached its standards, it did not link specific findings to named individuals or release a detailed investigative report.
Impact on Coaching Staff and Program
Steve Belichick joined UNC in 2025 after serving as the defensive coordinator for Washington in 2024 and spending 12 seasons with the New England Patriots. He was in the final year of a two-year contract valued at $2.7 million. During his absence, Brian Belichick, the team’s defensive backs and safeties coach, handled defensive play-calling. Sources report that Brian Belichick is expected to take over the defensive coordinator role on a permanent basis.
The program has remained successful during the investigation and Steve Belichick’s leave. The Tar Heels are currently 2-0, with victories over East Tennessee State (35-3) and TCU (15-10) in Dublin.
Additional Program Developments
In the same announcement regarding the investigation’s conclusion, UNC revealed that freshman wide receiver Keeyun Chapman has been suspended indefinitely. The suspension follows Chapman’s arrest during a traffic stop in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The university stated that Chapman’s suspension and the actions taken following the investigation reflect a commitment to accountability and the well-being of student-athletes.
Head coach Bill Belichick, a 74-year-old who won six Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots, continues to have the support of the university.
Related reading