ACC Kickoff Media Event
On July 17 the Atlantic Coast Conference will convene its media partners and member schools in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the annual ACC Kickoff media event, and the University of North Carolina will be there in force.
Coach Bill Belichick, who assumed leadership of the Tar Heels program earlier this year, will join three of his standout players — wide receiver Jordan Shipp, offensive lineman Christo Kelly and defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude — at the gathering, underscoring the team’s readiness for the upcoming campaign.
The event provides a first public appearance for the new coaching staff and a platform for the players to articulate their goals as they look ahead to a historic season opener.
Dublin Opener on the International Stage
That opener will take place on August 29 in Dublin, Ireland, where UNC will face TCU in a highly anticipated matchup that marks the first time a regular‑season game between an ACC team and a Big 12 opponent is staged on Irish soil.
Jordan Shipp, slated to be a junior captain, is expected to lead the receiving corps after a breakout season that saw him top the team in yards and touchdowns, while Christo Kelly brings veteran experience as a graduate student who has anchored the offensive line for the past two years.
Melkart Abou Jaoude, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the ACC’s most feared pass rushers, ranking among the conference leaders in sacks last season and drawing praise for his relentless motor and technique.
Together, the trio embodies a blend of youthful leadership and seasoned expertise that UNC hopes will translate into a strong start to the 2026 schedule.