Bill Belichick, UNC football making coaching changes ahead of 2026
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UNC football and coach Bill Belichick will have a new offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator in the 2026 season, the program announced on Friday, Dec. 12.
Freddie Kitchens, who served as the offensive coordinator for the Tar Heels in Belichick’s debut year, and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will not return. The announcement comes a year after Belichick’s introductory press conference as the leader of UNC’s football program.
“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” Belichick said in a school-issued statement.
“We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors.”
UNC’s offense ranked among the worst in the country in 2025. Among 136 FBS teams, the Tar Heels finished No. 131 in total offense and No. 121 in scoring offense (19.3 points per game). Only seven teams finished with fewer touchdowns (25) than the Tar Heels, including three Power 4 programs: UCLA (24), Wisconsin (19) and Oklahoma State (18).
Special teams was also an area of concern for UNC, which allowed two blocked kicks (94th nationally) and was on the wrong end of several game-changing plays in the third phase of the game, including a fake field goal by Duke that helped the Blue Devils retain the Victory Bell.
The Tar Heels ended the 2025 season with a 4-8 record, including a 2-6 mark in the ACC.
UNC, which signed the 12th-ranked recruiting class in 2026 per ESPN, is bringing in at least 39 freshmen. All but three of those newcomers are expected to be early enrollees.
The Heels are also expected to be active in the transfer portal, with several players announcing their plans to enter the college football’s version of free agency, opening the door for another batch of newcomers for Belichick’s program. The portal officially opens on Jan. 2.
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 rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Bill Belichick, UNC football fire Freddie Kitchens, Mike Priefer
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