UNC came into Week 6 with a 2-2 record and in need of a statement win. Despite their lacklustre start, Clemson was an ideal opponent to get that. But the former NFL coach didn’t stand a chance against Dabo Swinney’s Tigers. The 10-38 loss added another blow to Bill Belichick’s rough beginning in college football. More than the loss, it’s the sheer lack of effort at times that must have raised eyebrows at the program. Chad Ochocinco Johnson and Shannon Sharpe felt the same. There may be a decision to make here. And it has nothing to do with the head coach.

Ocho laid out a solution for UNC donors. He said in an October 5 episode of Nightcap, “If you’re an UNC booster, you need to open up your pocketbook. […]  You got to pay to play. You got to pay to win, you know, and that’s what it takes. And you have to trust the process because you have the right man for the job. All you need now is the backing. And the backing has to come from the sponsors.”

UNC flexed its financial reserves by getting Bill Belichick on board in the first place. But did they have the manpower to match his standards? He won’t be getting a Tom Brady anytime soon. But the current state of college football is different from what it was even five years ago. NIL and the transfer portal have transformed everything. Some programs like Texas Tech have opened their accounts, and the effects can be seen in their results.

North Carolina’s 2025 class was ranked 44, according to On3. Bill Belichick’s arrival has bumped up recruiting big time, the 2026 class reaching the Top 20. But it lacks five-star players. When it comes to the 2025 team, someone like Gio Lopez looks like the best bet to be the next QB1 at UNC. But the players are still not quite able to translate Bill Belichick’s teachings onto the gridiron. “As great as Bill Belichick is, there’s only so much coaching he can do without the talent, without the players to be able to execute whatever it is you want to do, offensively and defensively,” Ocho added.

“It’s going to take a while for them to get good,” Shannon Sharpe added. “This is not an overnight success.” But Ocho refuted that idea, stressing the fact that UNC just needs the money to turn things around. He even cited the success of one of UNC’s most famous personalities ever, who is worth a staggering $3.8 billion. And that’s where Shannon Sharpe brought forth another reality about UNC athletics.

Bill Belichick might not be the first preference for Michael Jordan-like donors

UNC’s season opener was expected to be attended by the who’s who of multiple arenas. Among them was the GOAT himself: Michael Jordan. He also happens to be the most generational talent ever to be produced by the school. So, when Ocho suggested someone of his stature opening up their banks as a solution, Sharpe said, “Hold on.”

People with long money like to invest in things that they like. What does Michael Jordan like? Basketball. Basketball and golf. What is North Carolina known for? Basketball,” Sharpe cut in passionately. UNC basketball has dominated the school’s success stories when football took a backseat. And someone like Michael Jordan will be asked to address the needs of the most profitable UNC sport first. Only then will NIL donors be willing to take a risk in something as shaky and unpredictable as UNC football. Sharpe drew a parallel between UNC and other CFB giants.

“What is Alabama known for? Football. What is Ohio State known for? Football,” he stressed. NIL donors wouldn’t think twice when it comes to these programs. UNC has a long road to cover to get to where Alabama and OSU are.

But the program has at least checked off one list by hiring Bill Belichick to run things. But getting the winningest NFL coach of modern times is not a complete fix for North Carolina’s problems. The bosses have to get the right level of resources for the program so that they can see the desired results.