Dave Portnoy: I need Bill Belichick to start winning or get out of college football

Bill Belichick’s college football coaching debut with North Carolina didn’t go as planned, losing to TCU 48-14. In the fallout, many have questioned the Tar Heels’ decision to hire the 73-year-old NFL coaching vet.

Barstool president Dave Portnoy was blunt when addressing Belichick’s future with the Tar Heels. With UNC set to take on Charlotte on the road during Week 2, Portnoy called for Belichick to win or go home.

“I need Bill Belichick to either start winning or get out of college football, because I can’t be the butt of the joke,” Portnoy said during FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff. “He’s like my grandfather, and it’s sad to see.”

North Carolina turned the ball over three times during the contest — two fumbles and an interception. Two of those, one fumble and the pick, went for TCU touchdowns. Belichick pointed toward these “self-inflicted” wounds as reasons for UNC’s lopsided loss.

The pick-six was caused by the Horned Frogs’ standout defensive back Bud Clark who took it 25 yards to the house. This pushed TCU to a two-score lead, and they game was never close after that.

The fumble returned for a touchdown by Devean Deal after a big hit on Gio Lopez by the TCU defense. This was the final touchdown scored during the Tar Heels’ 41-0 run, and also saw Lopez get banged up on the play. He did not return.

Veteran quarterback Max Johnson would enter the game for Lopez in the third quarter, where he went on to lead the Tar Heels to a touchdown during his first drive in the game. Lopez is set to receive the starting nod for North Carolina during Week 2. However, the Tar Heels know they can turn toward Johnson if things don’t go as planned once again.

Coming into the season, fans and analysts alike sat on two sides. Some believed his coaching resume spoke for itself, and it would show on the field. Others anticipated his run with the Tar Heels to be a flop.

While one non-conference game isn’t enough to hit the panic button in Chapel Hill, it was a disappointing start for six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach’s North Carolina coaching tenure.

North Carolina will look to get back on track against the 49ers on Saturday and secure the first victory of their new season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Et and will air live on ESPN+.