North Carolina kicked off the 2026 season with a huge 15-10 victory over TCU in Dublin, Ireland, last Saturday, and if you think Bill Belichick was just coasting, you’d be dead wrong. The 74-year-old coach straight up confirmed he was calling the Tar Heels’ defensive plays himself with his son, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, on medical leave. “Defensively, we game-planned and it won us this game,” Belichick told reporters, and honestly, that quote tells you everything you need to know about how this team is starting the year.
That “Great Team Win” Feeling Is Real, Folks
You could feel the relief and pride from Belichick after that grind of a game. He was beaming, calling it “a great team win for us.” And seriously, he wasn’t just throwing out clichés. He couldn’t say enough about “the efforts of everybody,” even shouting out the scout players who didn’t even hit the field. Think about that: the guys grinding in practice, giving those crucial reps and mimicking TCU’s tough looks. Belichick knows those are the unsung heroes who sharpen the blade. He even gave props to TCU, admitting they’re a “good football team” that “certainly did some things that were difficult for us.” But our guys, they “responded well and tried to step up to the challenge.” You gotta love that fight.
From 48-14 to 15-10: That’s a Whole Different Attitude
Remember last year? Oof. UNC got absolutely stomped by TCU, 48-14, to kick off the 2025 season. It was a brutal way to start. But this year? This 15-10 thriller in Dublin? That’s a whole different story, and Belichick himself basically confirmed it. He talked about his viral reaction to sealing the win, saying, “It’s a good feeling to win the game.” He stressed how much work went into it, from “preseason workouts, spring practice, summer workouts, training camp” all geared up for the season, not just one game. But specifically for TCU, they “poured a lot in” over the last eight to nine days. The most telling part? He flat out said, “Certainly we didn’t play competitively enough last year, but this year these guys came out with a whole different attitude and they were gonna fight for 60 minutes and they did.” That’s the fire we’ve been waiting for!
This Is Just the Beginning, Believe That
Belichick is clearly satisfied with the early result, but he’s already looking ahead. “I’m just happy for the players. They’ve worked really hard,” he said, per the Associated Press. He knows these positive results aren’t just wins; they “reinforce” all that hard work. He feels the players “been believing in what we’re doing,” but a win like this, especially after last year, “just gives everybody a little bit more belief.” The message is clear: “we’ve just got to keep building.” This isn’t a peak; it’s a foundation. The attitude is right, the effort is there, and with Belichick dialing up the defense, who knows how far they can take this thing. Get ready, because it feels like something special is brewing.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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