When Bill Belichick wasn’t hired as a head coach in the NFL coaching cycle last offseason, many expected him to take a year off before returning to head a team from the sideline. However, few would have suspected 12 months ago that his next coaching job would come in college football, as Belichick accepted the head coaching position for the North Carolina football team and was introduced on December 12. No other college football coach can showcase a resume like Belichick and his six Super Bowl rings as a head coach, so how much weight should North Carolina football fans expect that to carry with North Carolina football recruiting and transfer portal players who may not have been born when Belichick and Tom Brady won their first Lombardi Trophy?

Belichick said he’s focused on building a roster before finalizing a North Carolina football coaching staff, so what are the characteristics the 72-year-old coach will seek as he forms the 2025 North Carolina football team roster? Belichick has always been considered a stern coach, so players who join the UNC football program will need thick skin. If you want the latest UNC football news now that Belichick is calling the shots for the Tar Heels, be sure be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at InsideCarolina, the 247Sports affiliate that covers UNC.

The InsideCarolina insiders have been breaking news in this search for weeks, and they are providing on-the-ground updates on every development surrounding Belichick and the the future of the UNC football program, including insights from Adam Smith, Evans Rogers and Buck Sanders, who have deep-rooted ties inside and around the UNC community. Get all the inside scoop on the football program, plus VIP intel on UNC football, basketball, recruiting and more. Plus get access to The Tar Pit and the UNC Basketball premium message boards where you can connect with other UNC fans and insiders. 

And right now, InsideCarolina is offering 50% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. The team at InsideCarolina already has the latest on all of Belichick’s moves. Head to InsideCarolina now to see them all.

North Carolina football roster news 

Christo Kelly, an offensive lineman from Holy Cross, is the first official transfer portal commitment for Belichick at North Carolina. Kelly, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman, will be playing his sixth college season and started each of his last three years for Holy Cross. Kelly played exclusively center last season and Belichick and Tar Heels General Manager Michael Lombardi have publicly spoken of the importance of building the offensive line and Kelly should be a staple to next year’s unit.

North Carolina has been active in the transfer portal and will add more talent over the coming days. While many college coaches and executives are dealing with money negotiations for the first time with recruiting in the NIL era, Belichick and Lombardi have experience budgeting their payrolls with the Patriots. That could benefit them over other college football programs dealing with this for the first time.

Belichick’s reputation wasn’t enough to keep Omarion Hampton in college as the running back officially declared for the NFL Draft. The dynamic back rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, so North Carolina could target a top running back from the 2024 college football transfer portal. Get more UNC football roster updates at InsideCarolina. 

How to get insider UNC football updates 

The InsideCarolina team is bringing up-to-the minute updates on the latest transfer portal targets, how Belichick’s hiring impacts recruiting and news on which coaches will join Belichick in Chapel Hill. You can only get it all at InsideCarolina.

Who is UNC targeting in the transfer portal, and what will Belichick’s first staff at UNC look like? Go to InsideCarolina to get all the latest UNC football news, all from a team of dialed-in UNC insiders, and find out. 

And reminder, InsideCarolina is offering 50% off an annual VIP membership, so subscribe now before it’s too late.

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