Bill Belichick’s first outing as North Carolina’s college football coach didn’t exactly go according to plan.
Fans were quick to remind the legendary NFL coach that Tom Brady “isn’t here to save him anymore” after the Tar Heels suffered a heavy defeat to TCU on Monday night.
Despite an optimistic start that saw UNC score a quick touchdown, the visiting Horned Frogs quickly took control.
By halftime, TCU led 20-7, and by the end of the third quarter, the scoreboard read 41-14, leaving Belichick’s debut in disarray.
Quarterback Switch Offers Brief Spark
With fans leaving the stadium in droves, Belichick made a bold move, pulling quarterback Gio Lopez in favor of Max Johnson.
The switch paid off immediately, as Johnson connected with his brother Jake for a 2-yard touchdown, momentarily energizing the UNC offense.
The Johnson brothers are sons of former NFL Super Bowl winner Brad Johnson, adding a notable football pedigree to the Tar Heels’ roster.
Still, the Horned Frogs regained momentum and ultimately won the game 48-14.
Social Media Reacts to Belichick’s Misfortunes
Belichick’s struggles didn’t go unnoticed online.
Fans were quick to poke fun, with one tweeting, “Haha he’s been exposed without Tom Brady at NFL and college level,” while another simply said, “Brady isn’t here to save him.”
Sports commentator Skip Bayless joined in, referencing an old Belichick quote with a brief, dismissive “On to Cincinnati” on X.
Even with college legends like Michael Jordan in attendance, the focus for many seemed to be elsewhere.
Spotlight on Belichick’s Girlfriend at Chapel Hill
Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, Hudson, captured attention during the game as cameras caught her alongside NFL great Randy Moss after the Tar Heels’ opening drive touchdown.
Social media buzzed over a clever fan sign that went viral before kickoff.
CBS reporter John Talty shared a photo of a Carolina-blue flag reading “Air Jordon,” featuring a silhouette inspired by Belichick’s now-famous beach yoga pose with Hudson, rather than the iconic Air Jordan basketball image.
Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy called it the “top 1 sign of all time,” highlighting just how quickly the moment captured fans’ imaginations.
A Challenging Beginning
Monday night marked a rocky start for Belichick in the college ranks, with TCU dominating the scoreboard and social media highlighting both his coaching challenges and his high-profile personal life.
While the Tar Heels showed flashes of promise, the debut underscored that even football legends face a steep learning curve outside the NFL.
