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Former Patriots Play-Caller Placed on Medical Leave at North Carolina
Former Patriots Play-Caller Placed on Medical Leave at North Carolina originally appeared on NESN .
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The Patriots felt like they finally pushed the Bill Belichick era behind them in 2025 when they reached the Super Bowl in Mike Vrabel's first season as head coach, but the Belichick name will be tied to the franchise forever.
One member of the Belichick family with a key Patriots connection is now facing a medical situation.
Former Patriots defensive play-caller Steve Belichick, now on his father's staff as North Carolina's defensive coordinator, was placed on medical leave by the Tar Heels on Thursday. Bill Belichick announced his son would be back "as soon as possible" but declined to say whether Steve would be available to coach in North Carolina's season opener against TCU.
The younger Belichick spent 12 seasons on his father's Patriots staff, earning his way to a role as defensive backs coach and defensive play-caller in 2019 after Brian Flores left the team. Steve continued to serve in a crucial role through 2023, working closely with his father and fellow assistant Jerod Mayo.
Here's what we know about Steve Belichick's medical leave at North Carolina.
What happened to Steve Belichick?
Bill Belichick didn't reveal any specifics about his son's condition, only saying Steve would be back "as soon as possible."
UNC coach Bill Belichick announces that defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is on medical leave. I asked if he'd be back for the season opener, and Bill Belichick said only that he'd be back "as soon as possible."
— Brian Murphy (@murphsturph) August 6, 2026 It isn't clear what kind of condition Steve is dealing with at the moment, but his father's words are potentially an indication that an extended absence isn't expected.
North Carolina opens its season in Week 0, facing TCU in Dublin, Ireland on Aug. 29. The early start to the season gives Steve a shorter window to get back on the sideline for the Tar Heels, who are hoping for a much better defensive showing after being gashed by TCU in last year's opener.
Steve Belichick coaching timeline
2012-15: New England Patriots (defensive assistant)
2016-18: New England Patriots (safeties coach)
2019: New England Patriots (defensive backs coach)
2020-23: New England Patriots (OLBs coach)
2024: Washington (defensive coordinator, OLBs coach)
2025-present: North Carolina (defensive coordinator)
The younger Belichick got his start as a coach just a year after graduating from Rutgers, joining his father's staff as a defensive assistant in 2012.
Belichick worked his way up to safeties coach in 2016 and took on defensive play-calling duties as defensive backs coach in 2019 after Brian Flores' departure.
The Patriots took a collaborative approach on defensive over the final four years of Bill Belichick's time in Foxborough, with both father and son working closely with Jerod Mayo in those seasons.
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