The struggles continued for Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels.
North Carolina couldn’t get anything going on offense during its 28-12 loss to Wake Forest on Saturday, snapping a two-game win streak.
“Just not good enough in any area,” Belichick told reporters during his postgame press conference. “On offense, defense, special teams, coaching, playing, we just didn’t have a good night and certainly was not enough.”
The Tar Heels failed to get a touchdown during Saturday’s loss, with their only scores coming from four field goals.
Head Coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on before a football game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Getty ImagesNorth Carolina kicker Rece Verhoff had two of his field goals blocked by the Demon Deacons’ defense, something that Belichick shook off as caused by the defenders’ “penetration” and bad timing.
“One of them was a lot of penetration, and the other one, well the timing execution of the kick was obviously bad on our part,” Belichick said of the field goal attempts.
Quarterback Gio Lopez threw for 201 passing yards on 21-of-36 attempts and was able to get the Tar Heels into the red zone multiple times despite not being able to get his team behind the goal line.
Gio Lopez #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks to pass the ball during the second half of a football game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Getty Images“I thought he did a pretty good job tonight,” Belichick said of Lopez. “He was under a lot of pressure … thought he hung in there and made some good throws.”
North Carolina’s loss occurred amid rumors of Belichick possibly taking over as Giants head coach after they fired Brian Daboll on Monday.
Belichick shot down the speculation on Friday, however, and insisted that he is committed to the Tar Heels’ football program.
“I have great respect and genuinely care for the New York Giants organization and both the Mara and Tisch families,” he wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. “The New York Giants played an important role in my life and in my coaching journey.
Khmori House #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play during the first half of a football game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Getty Images“It was a privilege for me to work for the Mara family and be a member of Coach Parcells’ staff for over a decade. However, despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.”
Prior to his legendary two-decade run with the Patriots, Belichick won two Super Bowls as the Giants’ defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells.
“Since arriving in Chapel Hill, my commitment to the UNC Football program has not [wavered],” Belichick continued in his statement. “We have tremendous support from the university, our alumni and the entire Carolina community.
“My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud.”
