Steve Belichick Resigns as North Carolina Defensive Coordinator

Steve Belichick has resigned from his position as North Carolina's defensive coordinator, the university announced, coinciding with the conclusion of an internal investigation into the football program's culture. The investigation was prompted by a human resources complaint filed against general manager Michael Lombardi on July 27, leading to Lombardi's administrative leave.

Lombardi stepped down on September 3, but the internal review continued until the university's recent announcement. According to a statement from North Carolina, the investigation found that "actions were isolated in scope and not a systemic failure," while acknowledging that "certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina's values and standards of conduct."

The university did not directly link Steve Belichick's resignation to Lombardi's departure or the broader investigation. Bill Belichick, Steve's father and a six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, had announced in early August that his son was on medical leave. At the time, Bill Belichick stated, "It's a medical situation, so I really can’t make any further comment on that."

Steve Belichick's resignation is effective October 27, 2026, following the completion of his medical leave. The announcement also noted that wide receiver Keeyun Chapman has been suspended indefinitely from the team in connection with an unspecified incident that occurred on Tuesday night.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have started their 2026 season with a 2-0 record, having defeated TCU and East Tennessee State. Their upcoming game against Clemson on Saturday will be their first conference contest of the year.