Legendary Coach Belichick Embraces College Game: Reveals Unique Practices for UNC Opener

As of August 21, 2025, legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick is preparing to make his college football debut on Labor Day when North Carolina hosts TCU for the season opener. Belichick, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, has been observing some key differences between the professional and collegiate levels.

One notable distinction Belichick has highlighted is the increased amount of live practice work at the college level. "We've done a lot more live work here than we ever did in the NFL, at any team I was ever on," Belichick said. He credited the college coaches on his staff for emphasizing the necessity of this approach, especially with the absence of preseason games.

Despite the heightened intensity in practice, Belichick has been pleased with his team's ability to balance the physical demands while avoiding injuries. "The players have done a really good job of adapting to that. We really haven't had too many issues," he said. "Very few injuries to deal with, even though we've had quite a bit of contact in our padded days. I think that part's been really, really good."

The Tar Heels and Horned Frogs are set to clash on September 1 at 8 p.m. ET, providing an intriguing opportunity to see how Belichick's NFL expertise translates to the college game.