Gio Lopez recalls first conversation he had with Bill Belichick in recruiting process

Gio Lopez will be Bill Belichick‘s QB1 in the legendary head coach’s first year at the helm of North Carolina. At the ACC Football Kickoff on Thursday, Lopez reflected on his first conversation with Belichick.
“He calls me and I’m like thinking, like, ‘OK, I’m not gonna talk to Coach. I’m probably gonna talk to someone else,'” Lopez said. “He straight-up calls me and we have a conversation. He’s pretty straight to the point, but he’s honest.
“He’s an honest guy. He’s not gonna be cut-throat, but honest with you and keep it direct and just tell you what it is. He told me the situation and I can come in and compete for the spot. I would not be the smartest man to not take this opportunity.”
Lopez spent two seasons at South Alabama before transferring to North Carolina this offseason. In the 2024 campaign, Lopez was the team’s full-time starter, completing 66% of his passes for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions. Lopez’s arm wasn’t his only threat.
He also amassed 465 rushing yards and seven TDs on 85 carries. For his efforts, he was named an All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention. Lopez boosted the Jaguars to a 6-6 record and a 5-3 mark in conference play.
Top 10
- 1New
CFB Predictions
Conference Finalists, Champs
- 2Hot
SEC Football
Hardest schedule to easiest
- 3Trending
Heisman Trophy
Bold predictions
- 4
Boo Carter
Latest on status with Vols
- 5
Connor Stalions
Fires back at Jack Sawyer
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Despite Gio Lopez’s success at South Alabama, he initially felt self-conscious around Belichick. Thankfully for Lopez, the six-time Super Bowl champion quickly put his anxieties to rest.
“The best thing he told me was, he just said, ‘Be yourself,'” Lopez said. “You get Coach Bill Belichick as your coach. It’s like, ‘Man, I got to be the best version of myself.’ Of course, that’s what you want to be. But he was very honest with me. He’s like, Hey, just be yourself. There’s a reason you’re here.’ He helped me out and told me what it is.
“When you see him, you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s my head coach.’ Just like every day, being with him, it’s weird. You’re working out, and he comes in there and it’s like ‘Woah.’ But now, like every day meeting with him and talking ball. You’ve gotten comfortable and understanding you can be yourself around. him.”
Lopez will look to make Belichick proud this season as the 73-year-old enters the latest chapter of his coaching journey. On Sept. 1, North Carolina will kick off its 2025 campaign with a showdown against TCU at 8 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ESPN.