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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the second half of the game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
It’s all just so petty. But Bill Belichick’s feud with the New England Patriots continues.
Belichick is actively barring New England scouts from attending North Carolina football activities and he may have ill feelings toward Patriots owner Robert Kraft, reported NFL insider The Athletic’s Dianna Russini on Sept. 6.
“THIS IS ALL SO IMMATURE,” Russini wrote.
GettyCHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the second half of the game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
A North Carolina T-Shirt in a New England Facility
A Patriots scout wanted to visit the Tar Heels, but was denied. The scout thought he was denied because he’s an alum of NC State, a state rival school, but Belichick and UNC general manager Michael Lombardi have expressed that no Patriots will be allowed on campus, per the report.
Reversely, crackdown on any association with UNC in New England may also be happening.
A source close to Belichick told Russini that a New England staffer was told to remove his UNC shirt while in the Patriots’ facility. At the same time, starting quarterback Drake Maye went to UNC and often wears UNC gear around the facility.
Bill Belichick Has Issues With Owners Robert and Jonathan Kraft
Belichick has no issues with his former linebacker Mike Vrabel, now the Patriots’ head coach, or with New England executive VP of player personnel Eliot Wolf. His frustrations are aimed squarely at team owners and his former bosses, Robert and Jonathan Kraft.
“Why would we let (Patriots staffers) in our home after how he’s been treated since he left?” a Carolina source told Russini. “They get all our tape (and) can call our staff for player info.
“We will help our players, but being treated fairly is a two-way street.”
GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 10: New England Patriots President Jonathan Kraft and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft speaks during a ceremony honoring former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady at halftime of New England’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
As of Saturday morning, neither Vrabel nor Wolf had discussed the latest drama with Belichick.
Russini’s advice to Belichick? Drop the childish games and focus on building your program.
North Carolina Got Whooped by TCU in Opener
Belichick lost his college coaching debut 48-14 to the TCU Horned Frogs.
The 73-year-old Belichick won six Super Bowl titles during his 24-year tenure as head coach of the Patriots. In the game, his Tar Heels (0-1) scored on the opening possession, but the Horned Frogs gradually seized control, sending a full-house, hostile crowd heading for the exits long before the fourth quarter.
TCU outgained UNC 542-222 in total offense. The 48 points scored by TCU marked the most allowed by UNC in any opener in its history, according to Sportradar.
“They were clearly the better team tonight,” Belichick said. “They deserved to win and they did it decisively.”
With the first game being on Monday night, the Tar Heels faced a quick turnaround before a road game Saturday, Sept. 7, at Charlotte.
Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering football, basketball, and legal affairs. He’s covered the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories since 2019. More about Drake Bentley
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