Head coach Bill Belichick unceremoniously finished his debut in college football with a 4-8 finish. Naturally, some changes had to be made in the off-season. While he is changing his coaching staff, a key defensive player is reportedly on the verge of leaving the program.

That player in question is sophomore safety Malcolm Ziglar, whose agency has confirmed plans for him to enter the transfer portal. Ziglar joined the Tar Heels after rejecting Notre Dame. The news comes as a surprise given Belichick’s reputation as one of the greatest defensive minds in football history, and Ziglar’s potential departure reflects poorly on a unit expected to be a strength under his leadership.

Malcolm Ziglar emerged as one of the Tar Heels’ more notable contributors this season. The former four-star recruit, listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, appeared in 22 games and recorded 12 total tackles. He also posted a verified sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash time during his college career, making him an intriguing prospect as he prepares to explore his options.

Ziglar is the third person to leave the program after offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer saw the axe after the end of the season.

“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes. We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavor,” said Bill Belichick in a statement.

The offense under Kitchens was not up to the standards. Belichick’s team finished 131st nationally in total offense, 119th in red-zone efficiency, and 121st in scoring offense. North Carolina scored just 25 offensive touchdowns all season, with only seven teams nationwide producing fewer. The Tar Heels were also held to 20 points or fewer in seven games, underscoring the unit’s struggles. So, Kitchens was bound to see the exit door.

Priefer, meanwhile, was hired in 2025 after spending two seasons out of coaching following his dismissal from the Browns in 2023. Under his watch, North Carolina ranked 77th nationally in punt return yardage with just 137 total yards and 104th in kickoff returns. With special teams showing little improvement and the unit in need of a major rebuild, the program ultimately moved on from him after he failed to deliver results.

Chip Kelly could be the piece that Bill Belichick is missing

Amid the chaos going on in the program, a positive news could land for Bill Belichick. With no offensive coordinator, former Ohio State Brian Kelly becomes a priority target for the Tar Heels. On3 reporter Pete Nakos broke the news.

“The former UCLA head coach and Ohio State offensive coordinator recently interviewed for the Georgia Tech offensive coordinator opening,” Pete Nakos’ report read. “Chip Kelly returned to the NFL this year with the Raiders but was fired in November. He helped Ohio State win a national championship last season as the quarterback coach and offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes, developing quarterback Will Howard.

He directed the No. 14 scoring offense (35.7 points per game) and the No. 30 total offense (429.4 yards per game) in the nation last season. Kelly and Bill Belichick have a long-standing friendship, dating back to Kelly’s time as an offensive coordinator at UNH.”

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Chip Kelly has a proven record of winning at the college level. He built Oregon into a national powerhouse with his innovative spread offense before brief NFL stints with Philadelphia and San Francisco. His return to college football last season at Ohio State delivered immediate results, as he co-coordinated the offense alongside Brian Hartline, which won the national championship.

After a disastrous period with the Las Vegas Raiders, North Carolina might be the place where Kelly could rebuild his legacy.