A month later, UNC gives no timetable for Steve Belichick's return amid investigation

The Tar Heels are preparing for their home football opener without UNC defensive coordinator Steve Belichick. He has been on medical leave for more than a month, with no public timetable for his return. UNC hosts East Tennessee State on Saturday at noon. Other WRAL Top Stories Although the Tar Heels' defense provided stability in a 15-10 season-opening win against TCU in Ireland, questions remain about Belichick's absence, questions his father, head coach Bill Belichick, has not helped to clarify. Steve Belichick has not been around the program since at least Aug. 6, when Bill Belichick announced that he had been placed on medical leave as the second week of preseason practice began. "We look forward to getting him back as soon as possible," Bill Belichick said at the time. "It's a medical situation, so I really can't make any further comment." Details about Steve Belichick's status have been scarce since then. On Monday, Bill Belichick described Steve as 'still on medical leave' and declined to elaborate. Program officials continue to characterize his absence as medical leave. University and program leaders have given no indication whether Steve Belichick will return this season, an important question for a program that lost general manager Michael Lombardi to resignation last week. Interviews, investigators and allegations about UNC football culture UNC hired outside lawyers to question football players, staff and parents about the program as part of an on-going investigation. People familiar with the investigation told WRAL those lawyers are asking people close to the program whether Steve Belichick used drugs at university facilities and whether he gave drugs to at least one player. Investigators are also asking whether at least one member of UNC's recruiting staff had a sexual relationship with at least one player, the people said. They added that investigators are asking about similar possible relationships between members of the recruiting staff and assistant coaches. The people said investigators have also been asking about the culture of the team under Bill Belichick, an NFL coaching legend who was hired in December 2024 to elevate the profile of the Tar Heels' football program. During Monday's news conference, Bill Belichick said he understood 'the importance of the work that's being done by the investigative team and, obviously, our high standard here of our code of conduct and doing things the right way and making sure that our student-athletes are given the utmost, the best treatment, the very best care, and the very best coaching that we can possibly give them. So that's critically important to us.' Defense key to Tar Heels opening win Without Steve Belichick directing the defense, the Tar Heels still leaned on that unit to preserve the 15-10 win over TCU. UNC came up with two critical fourth-down stops in the second half, a notable improvement from the unit that surrendered 48 points to the Horned Frogs in a forgettable 2025 opener. In Ireland, TCU didn't score again after going up 10-3 on its first two possessions. Asked about the possibility of naming an interim defensive coordinator or general manager, Bill Belichick smiled and told WRAL's Pat Welter, "I'm sure you'll be the first to know." Belichick previously said the defensive staff would work together to fill the void. His other son, Brian Belichick, coaches the safeties and defensive backs. Steve Belichick has not responded to multiple requests for comment. Bill Belichick was noncommittal Monday when asked about his son's absence. "I love all my kids. I'm not going to comment on a medical situation," Bill Belichick said. The Tar Heels begin ACC play Sept. 19 at Clemson and host No. 4 Notre Dame on Oct. 3. They can be 2-0 heading into conference play with a win Saturday. Steve Belichick served as Washington's defensive coordinator during the 2024 season. Earlier in his career, he held several defensive coaching roles under his father with the New England Patriots. The Tar Heels' defense was a rare bright spot for the program last year, finishing No. 38 nationally in total defense and No. 25 in yards allowed per play.