The Tar Heels’ 21-18 loss to Cal was another harsh setback for Bill Belichick, who was brought in with high hopes of turning the program into a playoff contender. What initially seemed like a perfect fit—an experienced NFL coach leading a talented college team—has become a polarizing topic by Week 8, with many questioning whether Belichick’s methods and his off-field activities can succeed in the college environment. If UNC and Bill Belichick do decide to part ways, the $21 million buyout would become the top priority.

If UNC decides to make a change after the season, one possible replacement could be Billy Napier. On October 18th, Hard Rock Bet shared its top five candidates to replace Bill Belichick. At the top of the list? You guessed it: newly fired Billy Napier. Word on the street is that Napier’s stint at Florida was extremely underwhelming, but that doesn’t mean he’s completely out of the running for a spot like Chapel Hill.

First off, the guy can recruit his heart out. He was pulling in top-ranked talent down in Florida, even when things weren’t going so hot on the field. Like, the Gators had the No. 7 class in 2024. That’s a big deal, especially for a place like UNC that’s always trying to snag those top recruits.

Critics point out that coaching in college is very different from the NFL. College coaches must recruit top talent, develop younger players, and navigate strict NCAA rules—challenges that Belichick hasn’t had to handle in the professional ranks. These differences have made his transition more difficult than expected, leaving fans and analysts debating whether his approach can truly work at the collegiate level. It’d definitely be wild to see UNC move on from Belichick after just one year, but maybe it’s what’s best for everyone.

Belichick could head back to something that fits him better, and UNC could start fresh with a coach who knows the college scene inside and out. Sometimes even legends just end up in the wrong situation—and this might be one of those times.

Another day of Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson making the headlines

The biggest problem with Bill Belichick is the unnecessary drama he brings to the program. During the game at California’s Memorial Stadium, fans made it very clear they were frustrated with UNC. The scoreboard showed mocking messages aimed at coach Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson. Fans were reacting to the Tar Heels’ poor play and the controversies surrounding the team. Belichick’s big-name hire has not turned into wins, and fans made sure everyone knew how unhappy they were.

Cal fans and the Bears’ graphics team went all out, making jokes on the scoreboard about UNC still supporting Belichick even though the team was 2-3 at the time. They made fun of athletic director Bubba Cunningham’s comment that Belichick had “full support” from the program. Even Cal’s mascot, Oski, got in on it, joking about being “fully committed to Cal Athletics.” The scoreboard also showed silly graphics referencing Belichick’s personal website, with misspelled words and phrases like “graphic design is my passion.”

Fans didn’t stop at signs and graphics. Belichick faced chants about Hudson, who was traveling with the team and had to go through several security checks while moving around the stadium. One fan, Garrett Oates, a big Patriots fan, tried to get a selfie with Hudson but couldn’t, showing how much attention the two were getting. The fans’ actions showed how much pressure Belichick and Hudson are under as UNC struggles.