Five reasons why Michael Malone isn’t ‘Bill Belichick 2.0’

With North Carolina introducing Michael Malone as its head basketball coach, the parallels to football coach Bill Belichick are obvious: both arrived in Chapel Hill as professional champions with zero college head-coaching experience. While the comparison is tempting, it’s ultimately inaccurate. With Malone now in place and having “won” his introductory press conference, it’s increasingly clear that, despite surface-level similarities, these two hires are fundamentally different. Here are five reasons why:

Belichick’s happy classroom checks, Kelly’s hardest season and UNC’s spring reset

CHAPEL HILL — Bill Belichick was grinning as if he had just won another Super Bowl. That is how North Carolina offensive lineman Christo Kelly remembers it. Kelly and a teammate were walking toward class when they spotted their coach coming the other direction, clipboard in hand, smiling wide enough to stop them in their tracks.

Belichick says ‘we have our team now,’ not playing catch-up like last year

As North Carolina opened its second spring practice under coach Bill Belichick, the veteran coach said the program is better positioned this time around, largely because of continuity that simply did not exist a year ago.

Lombardi decries ‘fake’ rumors and stories, attacks on UNC program

Michael Lombardi used his return to ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” to issue a strong defense of the North Carolina football program, criticizing what he described as persistent “fake rumors and fake stories” that circulated throughout Bill Belichick’s turbulent first season in Chapel Hill.

Subscription makes ads on Tar Heel Tribune disappear

For readers who enjoy the Tar Heel Tribune’s coverage of Carolina athletics but not the clutter that comes with online advertising, there’s now a simple solution.

UNC gets two September open dates after Ireland opener, face Clemson in ACC opener

Starting with a season-opening trip across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland, North Carolina will launch into year two of the Bill Belichick era with a schedule built for spotlight high-stakes matchups. The schedule that the ACC announced Monday includes two September open dates for the Tar Heels after the opener in Dublin, Ireland, against TCU on Aug. 29.

UNC rebuilds quarterback room as Petrino takes control of offense

North Carolina’s offensive reset and quarterback shuffle did not begin with Bobby Petrino’s arrival.The 2025 season under offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens never stabilized. The Tar Heels struggled to find an offensive rhythm, and the quarterback situation remained unsettled. By the end of a 4–8 season, the direction of the unit was no longer defensible. Coach Bill Belichick dismissed Kitchens and the transition began.

Tar Heels in NFL: Trubisky throws 4 TD passes, Huzzie snags INT, Walker scores TD, Maye finishes off big regular season with win

The final week of the regular season meant MVP candidate Drake Maye didn’t play the entire game, and reserves around the league got plenty of playing time. Taking advantage of the latter were Mitch Trubisky, British Brooks and Alijah Huzzie.

How to watch UNC’s game at SMU on The CW

If you want to watch No. 12 North Carolina’s game Saturday at SMU on TV, you’ll have to figure out your CW affiliate.

Tar Heels in NFL: Maye looking like MVP as he makes more NFL history with 5 TD passes in nearly flawless performance

It was a perfect example of why Drake Maye should be the NFL MVP — a nearly flawless performance.

Petrino, UNC’s new OC, brings offensive brilliance but also baggage

Bobby Petrino, the man whose name evokes both offensive brilliance and controversy, is reportedly set to become North Carolina’s next offensive coordinator under Coach Bill Belichick.

Tar Heels in NFL: More history for Maye in clinching playoff berth with first 300-yard game; Hampton outduels Williams

On a day when Omarion Hampton outdueled fellow former Tar Heels running back Javonte Williams, Drake Maye made more history when his first career 300-yard passing game helped New England rally Sunday night to clinch a playoff berth.

UNC one of five ACC football teams to play only eight league games next season

CHARLOTTE — The ACC announced conference football opponents for next season, and North Carolina will play four games at Kenan Stadium and four on the road.