Losing the soul of the program, UNC still mourns. On February 5, Bill Belichick and North Carolina went through a hard time, receiving the heartbreaking news that the longtime director of Kenan Stadium had passed away at 68. But James Spurling will always remain in the hearts of the Tar Heels; the tributes to him offer only a glimpse of that.

“James is one of the first people that I met when I got here, and nobody was more gracious or hospitable than he was,” said Belichick during Sunday’s tribute to Spurling from UNC Football. “I wasn’t familiar with the area. He sent me to all the right places and helped me do all the right things. And what a wonderful person.”

Spurling’s contribution to UNC was not only limited to the program but also to each person who joined that family. While those outside the UNC program might have known Spurling only as a facility manager, to Belichick, he is a special personality. And his fondness for the 73-year-old coach was not just for his assistance, but because he reminded Belichick of the old days when his father coached there.

“He (James Spurling) had a key to every door, and I don’t know, I kept him straight. He showed me kind of a back room. There were the annual media guys for teams that my dad coached when he was here in the 50s. And it really took me back with some great memories,” said Belichick.

Bill Belichick’s father, Steve Belichick, coached at UNC in the mid-1950s. At that time, the future six-Super-Bowl-winning NFL head coach was just a little kid. But following in his father’s footsteps, when Belichick arrived at UNC, Spurling showed him all those old pictures of Steve.

Long before he joined the staff full-time, James Spurling was already investing in the program. Since 2006, James Spurling has overseen daily operations and worked hand-in-hand with campus partners. On top of that, he also ran a Chapel Hill business for 23 years. His commitment and dedication didn’t go unnoticed, and awards followed.

He was honored as an honorary lifetime member of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in 1998. In 2003, a full football scholarship was endowed in his name. Following that, in 2004, Spurling served on the board of the Educational Foundation and was named its Board Member of the Year.

His recognition continued in 2009, when he received the Ernie Williamson Award for unwavering service. The head coach wasn’t alone; many others shared stories of Spurling’s impact during the tribute.

James Spurling, an irreplaceable part of UNC’s history

For decades, James Spurling was the steady presence behind UNC Football. He may not always be seen on the field, but his influence always helps the Tar Heels to achieve victory.

“He treated Kenan Stadium like it was his own home,” said AD Bubba Cunningham. “He treated people like they were guests in it.”

The most interesting fact is that UNC saw six head coaches during Spurling’s tenure. But he was a constant force for the Tar Heels. In 1982, he built a community at a local gas station, Eastgate BP. There, he hired players and met with future NFL star Jeff Saturday. Remembering those old days, the ex-Colts center praised the UNC staff’s humor and energy.

“Worst case, you work here,” Spurling once joked after a tough combine performance by Jeff. “With that Carolina degree, you’d be the most qualified gas pumper I got.”

You can imagine how deeply he connected with players, and his support for them was on another level. Whoever came to UNC, for Spurling, became part of his family.

“The definition of altruism is supporting somebody without any personal gain,” said a UNC alum, Dr. Shawn Hocker. “He did all of this without public fanfare.”

He rose to the director position in 2005, despite not having a college degree, but for those who knew his worth, their support was there. Even former coach Mack Brown once said nothing happened around the program without James Spurling knowing it.