Bill Belichick and his North Carolina Tar Heels football team have arrived in Dublin for the first game of the 2026 season.
The team touched down in the Emerald Isle ahead of their season-opening matchup against TCU, scheduled to be played at Aviva Stadium.
This marks the second year of Belichick's tenure as head coach at UNC. The team's arrival in Dublin was documented with photos of the coach and players descending an escalator at the airport. Belichick was seen wearing a Carolina Football sweatshirt adorned with a football and shamrock.
The upcoming season faces challenges both on and off the field. Off-field, general manager Michael Lombardi was placed on leave following a human resources complaint. Specifics of the complaint have not been disclosed as the school conducts an investigation. Belichick commented on the situation earlier this month, stating the team was "taking it day to day and working through the things that are on the table right now."
Last season, Belichick's debut campaign with the Tar Heels resulted in a 4-8 record. The team began with a loss to TCU, followed by victories over Charlotte and Richmond. They then lost four consecutive games before securing wins against Syracuse and Stanford. The season concluded with three straight defeats against in-state rivals Wake Forest, Duke, and North Carolina State.
Personal life matters for Belichick, including his relationship with Jordon Hudson, have also been subjects of public interest and commentary.