Family Matters for Steve Belichick in Reunion with Father at UNC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — When North Carolina landed Bill Belichick to take over as head football coach in December, his oldest son was among the masses who were shocked to learn the news.

“No, I didn’t see it coming,” Steve Belichick said Wednesday at Kenan Football Center. “I don’t know how it all went down, but I was just as surprised as everybody else to hear him going to North Carolina. It was definitely a little interesting when that happened. But he just loves to coach football, loves to develop players, loves to be around the game. It’s been that way my whole life, and it hasn’t changed yet.”

And when the opportunity arose to join his father at UNC as the Tar Heels’ new defensive coordinator, he couldn’t turn it down. A life fully immersed in football afforded him the chance to coach at the same school where his grandfather, who he’s named after, coached in the 1950s.

It’s the latest chapter in a lifelong journey that began with Steve Belichick and his younger brother Brian growing up on NFL sidelines as ball boys, before ultimately working their way into the family coaching business.

“Being around the game, being around the guys, going all the way back to my grandpa, it’s just part of the family,” Steve said of football. “My mom always told me that I could do something better with my life, but I just kind of fell in love with the game. I appreciate my mom for saying that, and at this point, I understand a little bit of what she’s saying. But my grandpa used to say, if you love what you do, then you never work a day in your life.”

Steve Belichick met with reporters on Wednesday for the first time since coming on board with the Tar Heels eight months ago. Brian Belichick is UNC’s new defensive backs coach. They got their feet wet in coaching by breaking down film for former New England Patriots coordinators such as Josh McDaniels, Brian Flores, and Matt Patricia. The Belichick brothers also would sit in on quarterback and captain meetings during those weeks of preparation, soaking up all the experience they could.

Eventually, Steve moved onto the Patriots’ staff as a defensive assistant in 2012, before playing a role in New England’s 2019 Super Bowl championship as defensive backs coach. Later, across Bill Belichick’s final four seasons as head coach of the Patriots (2020-23), Steve also helped call defensive plays.

“They were quality control type coaches on the staff, then worked their way up,” Bill Belichick said Wednesday. “That’s something that I never tried to push them into. It’s something they wanted to do.”

While Bill Belichick was out of coaching last season, Steve took a job on the college level as defensive coordinator at Washington. And although Bill did spend time around the Huskies’ program in the spring of 2024, Steve acknowledged on Wednesday the challenge of coaching away from his father’s influence for the first time in his career.

Steve Belichick even appeared to choke up briefly at times, when speaking thankfully about Washington coach Jedd Fisch’s decision to take a chance on him as the Huskies’ defensive coordinator.

“I can’t say enough good things and how much I appreciate Coach Fisch out at Washington for giving me that opportunity,” Steve said. “That was huge for me. I will always be indebted to him, but being able to come back and work with my dad, work with my brother, I couldn’t pass that up.”

Now reunited in Chapel Hill, Steve Belichick has taken the reins as UNC’s third defensive coordinator in three seasons. Last season, under Geoff Collins, the Tar Heels ranked No. 67 nationally in run defense (out of 133 teams in the FBS), No. 72 in total defense, No. 89 in scoring defense, No. 102 in passing defense and No. 105 in takeaways. Carolina allowed at least 34 points in five of the seven losses the team suffered last season.

“Especially during training camp, it’s just all football,” Steve said. “The month of August is dedicated to football and getting ready for the football season. And I really enjoy that. I love that. It’s a great time.”