NFL legend Bill Belichick kickstarts recruiting as UNC head coach with a visit to top 2026 target

Bill Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl champion, has embarked on a new challenge as the head coach of the University of North Carolina (UNC) football team. At 72, Belichick becomes the oldest head coach in the FBS, inheriting a program that has not claimed an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title since 1980.

Since taking the reins on Dec. 11, Belichick has wasted no time reshaping the Tar Heels’ roster. 11 players have joined the team through the NCAA Transfer Portal.

As part of his recruiting efforts, Belichick has begun meeting top prospects, including Zavion Griffin-Haynes, a standout defensive end from Rolesville High School in North Carolina.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound junior, ranked No. 179 in the ESPN Jr. 300, recently shared a photo with Belichick during a school visit. Griffin-Haynes, who previously committed to UNC but later reopened his recruitment, remains a priority target for the Tar Heels.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that a great coach is coming to UNC to keep the program alive,” he said, as per On3. "Knowing that I just decommitted, they’re still pushing at me hard and staying in contact so that still keeps them a top school for me.”

Due to the coaching transition, UNC’s 2025 recruiting class ranked just No. 75 nationally and No. 17 in the ACC, consisting of only 10 signees. Belichick is expected to rely heavily on the portal to fill immediate gaps while turning his attention to a promising 2026 in-state recruiting class.

North Carolina boasts 17 prospects in the top 350 of the On3 Industry Ranking, including five-star talents, QB Faizon Brandon and TE Kendre Harrison.

Bill Belichick expected to build an NFL-heavy staff at UNC

Bill Belichick’s arrival as the University of North Carolina’s coach may bring more than his NFL pedigree to Chapel Hill. According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, he is likely to recruit staff members from the New England Patriots’ coaching, training, strength and personnel departments.

Belichick, who led the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles between 2000 and 2023, has signed a five-year deal with UNC, marking his first foray into college coaching. Jerod Mayo, in his first year as Patriots coach, may see significant staff turnover if Belichick lures former colleagues to join him.

Freddie Kitchens, UNC’s interim coach, will remain on staff and is expected to serve as offensive coordinator, per CBS Sports and 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Steve Belichick, previously the Patriots’ safeties coach and Washington’s defensive coordinator, is likely to join as defensive coordinator.

Joe Anile, a former Patriots scout, and ex-NFL executive Michael Lombardi will fill personnel and general manager roles, respectively. Safeties coach Brian Belichick remains a potential addition.