North Carolina football head coach Bill Belichick announced on Thursday that his son, Steve Belichick, has been placed on medical leave and will not be with the team during fall camp.
Steve Belichick, who serves as the defensive coordinator for the North Carolina Tar Heels, is currently away from the program while recovering. In a brief statement to reporters, Bill Belichick confirmed the development but provided no further details regarding the nature of the medical situation or a potential return timeline.
"Just want to let everyone know that my son Steve’s on medical leave, and look forward to getting him back as soon as possible," Bill Belichick said. "It’s a medical situation so I really can’t make any further comment on that." The team is preparing for the 2026 season, with the season opener scheduled against Texas Christian University on August 29.
Program Faces Off-Field Challenges Ahead of Season
The announcement comes amid a challenging offseason for the North Carolina football program. On July 27, the school placed general manager Michael Lombardi on administrative leave following an ongoing investigation into the program. The specifics of the investigation have not been disclosed by the university.
North Carolina concluded the 2025 season with a 4-8 record, missing a bowl game and raising questions about the program’s trajectory under Bill Belichick’s leadership. The team faces early-season matchups against Clemson and Notre Dame in late September and early October, respectively.
As of now, it remains unclear whether Steve Belichick will return before the season opener. Bill Belichick stated only that his son would return "as soon as possible."