"Belichick's first season as a collegiate coach in Chapel Hill did not go as he had planned. The Tar Heels had one of the worst offenses in the country with Kitchens at the helm, ranking 129th out of 136 total FBS teams. Starting quarterback Gio Lopez ranked 98th in total QB rating (51.4), per ESPN. His QBR was the 14th-worst among ACC quarterbacks."
"As for special teams, typically a cornerstone of Belichick-coached teams, this phase of the game was a struggle for UNC. Here is where the Tar Heels ranked in various special teams statistics: 66th in net punting76th in punt returns76th in kickoff return defense81st in punt return defense102nd in kickoff returns Priefer had been out of coaching since 2022 before joining Belichick in Chapel Hill. He was previously the Browns' special teams coordinator from 2019-22."
The University of North Carolina finished the season 4-8 (2-6 ACC) and did not qualify for a bowl game. Offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer were dismissed. Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick will remain on staff. The offense ranked 129th of 136 FBS teams, and starting quarterback Gio Lopez posted a 51.4 total QB rating, one of the lowest among ACC quarterbacks. Special teams performance was weak across multiple metrics, including net punting, punt returns and kickoff returns. Kitchens previously served in several NFL roles and as UNC interim head coach in 2024; Priefer last coached in 2022.
Read at Boston.com
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