RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 3 sourcesCHAPEL HILL — UNC football ’s defense is adjusting without defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who is on medical leave as the Tar Heels begin their second week of fall camp.
UNC coach Bill Belichick, Steve’s father, announced Thursday, Aug. 6, that he’s looking forward “to getting him back as soon as possible” as the team continues preparation for its season opener against TCU in Ireland on Aug. 29.
Senior defensive back Kaleb Cost, who’s played nearly 1,400 snaps across three seasons as a defender and special teams contributor in Chapel Hill, said “it’s been different” without Steve at practice.
“We miss him, for sure,” Cost said. “He’s still family and it’s all love. We can’t wait to see him back in this building, back with us.”
But Cost, Syracuse transfer Derek McDonald and the Tar Heels’ head coach are trying to go about things as normal as possible as the team transitions out of the acclimation period of practice into full pads.
“Honestly, we have a great defensive staff. We have so much experience out there,” said McDonald, who is projected to be a starting linebacker this season. “They’ve done a great job, everyone just stepping up and filling in that role. They’ve all been working super hard and we’ve made it work pretty well. I think we’ve done a great job.”
In addition to the help Steve Belichick and UNC’s defense get from Bill Belichick, the defensive staff includes: defensive line coach Bob Diaco, cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins, inside linebackers coach Jamie Collins, outside linebackers coach Ty Nichols, defensive assistant Manny Miles and defensive backs coach Brian Belichick – Steve’s brother.
But Cost didn’t want to minimize the absence of Steve, who helped the Tar Heels progress throughout the 2025 season. UNC was 24th nationally in red zone defense and one of two teams in the ACC to limit opponents to 21 points or fewer in four consecutive games. The program hadn't accomplished that feat since 2000.
“He knows a lot. He’s just like his father. He’s very knowledgeable of the game. He mixes up a lot of coverages, just like OG,” Cost said. “In the meetings, he goes through the film and things like that. He breaks it down similar to his father. It’s a difference between the coaching, but they’re both pretty good coaches.”
Steve Belichick was scheduled to speak with media members on July 30, the opening day of fall camp, but didn’t make an appearance. Until Steve’s return, Cost and the defense will try to keep things on the right track.
“It’s been similar – the same. We’ve been having team meetings, player meetings, defensive meetings. It’s been good, all of the coaches on the defensive side helping out,” Cost said.
“Everybody’s been gelling together. Everybody has one common goal at the end of the day on the defense. Coach Jamie, (Hawkins), everybody from top to bottom on the defense … everybody’s on the same page.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to [email protected] .
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What UNC football players said about Steve Belichick being on medical leave
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