Belichick's Second Year at UNC Ends With a B

Bill Belichick received a B for his second season as head football coach at the University of North Carolina. The Tar Heels finished the year with a 4-3 record, marking a clear improvement over their 4-8 start in 2025.

Belichick's first year was defined by a slow start in the transfer portal. The coaching staff underestimated the speed required to build a roster, resulting in a weak squad. In 2026, the team adjusted its strategy. North Carolina lost only two games in the ACC, and both defeats came by a combined margin of nine points.

The team faced personnel challenges this season. Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi were sidelined due to off-field issues. Despite these absences, the Tar Heels maintained a competitive level of play. The roster remains one of the youngest in college football.

Jake Dickert of Wake Forest received the highest grade in the second-year cohort. An A+ recognized his success in elevating a program with limited resources. Wake Forest holds a 15-5 record and currently ranks No. 14 in the AP Top 25.

The Demon Deacons have won their last three games by an average of 37.3 points. Their only loss this season was a close game against Miami. Wake Forest plays No. 19 SMU on Nov. 14. A victory in that matchup could secure a berth in the ACC championship game.

Other second-year coaches received mixed marks. Scott Frost of UCF earned a B after his team upset No. 2 BYU. Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia also received a B, leading the Mountaineers to the best rushing offense in the Power Four. Jason Eck of New Mexico and Charles Kelly of Jacksonville State both earned A grades for strong records and defensive performances.

Two coaches received F grades. Tim Albin of Charlotte finished with a 2-17 record. Phil Longo of Sam Houston was the first second-year coach fired this cycle after posting a 3-17 record in less than two seasons. Longo was dismissed on Wednesday.

The 2024 hiring cycle saw few changes among Power Four programs. Only five jobs changed hands that year. This limited turnover allowed several coaches to build rosters over two seasons. The current standings reflect the results of that early patience.