Six weeks into the college football season and Bill Belichick’s tenure as North Carolina head coach, and the situation bleak.
Poor play on the field has been overshadowed by drama off the field. All-access documentaries are being scrapped, and new allegations of rule violations are hitting the program.
UNC football has become a punchline. Here are five numbers that define the season thus far.
$25 million
Let’s start with the big question. Will UNC cut ties with Belichick? Nothing is impossible, but the financial situation is going to make it tough. However, TarHeel247 reported Wednesday “potential exit strategy” discussions have begun amid potential rules violations.
According to The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel, Belichick would be owed roughly $20 million were UNC to fire him. Add in general manager Michael Lombardi’s $3 million remaining on his contract, Steve Belichick’s $1.4 million and money for additional assistants, and it could cost UNC north of $25 million to sever ties. With the potential rules violations, UNC will seek to eliminate or dramatically reduce Belichick’s buyout.
373.2
A strength during Belichick’s New England Patriots tenure was strong defensive play. Thus far, he’s been unable to replicate it with the Tar Heels. Belichick’s New England defenses ranked in the top 10 of the NFL in yards allowed in 11 seasons.
This season, UNC ranks 75th overall with 373.2 yards allowed per game. Carolina is especially poor against the pass, ranking 100th in the nation (246.2 yards per game).
31.7
Out of 134 FBS teams, North Carolina ranks 123rd in third-down conversion percentage at just 31.7 percent (19-of-60). Only three Power Four teams rank below the Tar Heels.
To be fair, it’s possible to still be a good team and not convert on third down. Kansas (4-2) and Arizona State (4-1) both rank below UNC. The Heels were an abysmal 1-of-10 against TCU and 2-of-11 against Clemson. In the three games against Power Four competition, UNC is converting at just a 22 percent rate.
162.6
That’s how many passing yards North Carolina is averaging per game, which ranks 121st nationally. The only Power Four team behind them is Iowa — a program famed for its lack of offense.
Until the Oct. 4 loss against Clemson (208 yards passing), North Carolina’s season-best in a game was 172 passing yards. Against Power Four competition, the Heels have passed for just two touchdowns in three games.
2
The problems aren’t just on the field. The majority of the drama resides off the field where UNC just pulled the plug on a Hulu all-access documentary that was supposed to follow the program throughout the season.
It’s the second all-access show that’s been scrapped. Over the summer, HBO attempted to do a “Hard Knocks”-style show, but it was reported Belichick wanted the show to follow the entire season and not just fall camp.
Now, the Hulu show has been scrapped amid the team’s bad run of play.
