In Bill Belichick’s first game as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels,the six-time Super Bowl champion watched his team lose 48–14 to Texas Christian University on their home field in Chapel Hill.
In the days leading up to the game, there was a lot of excitement. Many people believed that Belichick’s experience in the NFL would help UNC right away. Some hoped his coaching style, typically focused on discipline and attention to detail, would lead to a strong start. However, this was not the case. On their first drive, the Tar Heels moved 83 yards in seven plays and scored a touchdown. But after that, the offense struggled as UNC went three-and-out on several drives, and quarterback Gio Lopez had trouble organizing his team.
The team did not convert a third down until the second half. Turnovers hurt the team, too, as a fumbled snap gave TCU an easy touchdown. Later, Lopez threw an interception that was returned for another score.
By the end of the first half, TCU had built a large lead, and many fans had already left the stadium. After the game, Belichick was honest, saying, “We were outplayed, outcoached and outworked. We’re better than what we showed, but it’s going to take effort and execution to prove that.”
Belichick is now coaching younger players, many of whom are new to the program. Belichick has a long history of turning teams around, and now he will try to do the same in Chapel Hill.
