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Thaddeus Dixon opens up on relationship with Steve Belichick as North Carolina defensive coordinator

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs07/24/25grant_grubbs_
Syndication: El Paso Times
Steve Belichick, Defensive Coordinator for the Washington football team, answers questions from the media during the coordinator news conference at the Hawthorn Suites in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

When Steve Belichick left Washington to join North Carolina this offseason, defensive back Thaddeus Dixon trailed closely behind him. At the 2025 ACC Football Kickoff on Thursday, Dixon opened up on his relationship with UNC’s defensive coordinator.

“I’ve built a very close relationship with Coach Steve,” Dixon said. “He’s been with me pretty much every step of the way, going back to last year when he first touched down at Washington.

“Being able to learn from a guy like that who has so much football knowledge, so much knowledge of the game and scheme and stuff like that, I feel like it’s really propelled my game to the next level, as far as just understanding the game and other offensive coordinators and just the ins and outs of the defense.”

Dixon’s game took a massive leap forward under Belichick last season. Dixon tallied 43 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and 10 pass deflections at Washington in the 2024 campaign. For reference, he recorded just 26 tackles and six pass breakups the previous season.

Now, Dixon is prepared to take his game to the next level on Chapel Hill and Belichick will be right by his side. In his lone campaign as Washington’s coordinator last season, Belichick guided the Huskies defense to only allowing 328.4 yards per game, the 28th-least in the nation.

Before coaching at Washington, Belichick was a defensive coach for the New England Patriots from 2012-23. He helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls during that time. In Belichick’s final season with the Patriots, they ranked No. 3 in rushing defense and 10th in passing defense.

Belichick has a tall task ahead of him. North Carolina’s defense is only returning two starts from last season. Alas, the Tar Heels reeled in a massive transfer class this offseason that included standouts such as linebackers Andrew Simpson and Timir Hickman-Collins.

It’s probably for the best that North Carolina’s defense is getting a fresh start. The team ranked No. 80 in the country last season in total defense and No. 10 in the ACC.

North Carolina’s defense will immediately be put to the test this year. The Tar Heels will square off against TCU in their season-opener. The Horned Frogs are returning starting quarterback Josh Hoover and are expected to be one of the best teams in the Big 12 this upcoming season.

North Carolina and TCU will face off at 8 p.m. ET on Sept. 1. The game will air live on ESPN.