Bill Belichick’s second year as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels is set to begin this summer, following a tumultuous first season that ended 4‑8 and left the program missing a bowl game for the first time since 2018.
The pressure is mounting, especially after CBS Sports analyst Tom Fornelli placed Belichick at No. 63 among Power 4 coaches, a ranking that drew last‑place votes and saw him finish behind Stanford’s Tavita Pritchard.
The 2026 Schedule: A Test of Depth
What makes the upcoming campaign even more daunting is the schedule. The Tar Heels have been slated to face the most challenging slate in college football for 2026, a list that includes traditional powerhouses and road trips that will test even the most seasoned squads.
Fans are hopeful that a stronger performance will lift Belichick’s standing and perhaps move him off the bottom of the CBS list. The expectation is that improved results could translate into a higher ranking and renewed optimism for the program.
The Tar Heels’ home base remains the historic Chapel Hill campus, where the atmosphere is charged and the fan base is eager for a rebound. Meanwhile, the broader college football landscape watches closely to see whether Belichick can translate his NFL pedigree into success at the collegiate level.