Bill Belichick’s son, Steve, is on indefinite medical leave from his position as defensive coordinator of the UNC Tar Heels.
Belichick announced on Thursday that Steve, 39, is absent from training camp ahead of the new college football season. ‘It’s a medical situation so I really can’t make any further comment on that.’
No specific details were provided and Belichick did not confirm whether his son will return in time for the Tar Heels’ opener against TCU on August 29. ‘I look forward to getting him back as soon as possible,’ he said.
It comes just weeks after UNC football was plunged into chaos when GM Michael Lombardi was placed on paid administrative leave amid an ongoing university investigation.
Lombardi, who joined Belichick in Chapel Hill following the legendary head coach’s move to college football in December 2024, was put on leave following an internal human resources complaint filed by a former staffer.
Steve Belichick, meanwhile, was named defensive coordinator of the Tar Heels following his father’s appointment.
Bill Belichick’s son Steve is on medical leave from his position as defensive coordinator of UNC
‘I look forward to getting him back as soon as possible,’ the legendary NFL coach said
He had previously spent more than a decade working under the NFL legend at the Patriots, helping New England win three Super Bowls.
Before joining UNC, Steve Belichick served as defensive coordinator of the Washington Huskies.
On Thursday, his father was asked who would fill the void left by Steve’s absence. ‘All the people on the defensive staff,’ Belichick said.
‘We coach the defense collectively as a staff, and so we’ll continue to do that. Those (coaches) are involved with everybody.’
The UNC defense struggled in 2025 as Belichick’s team finished with a record of 4-8 in a season that was dominated by off-field controversy involving the head coach’s girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
Back in November, it was reported that Steve Belichick’s wife, Jen, savaged Hudson in a foul-mouthed, 40-minute rant – in front of the NFL legend.
The New York Post claimed Jen Belichick branded Hudson ‘bats*** crazy ‘ and accused her of ‘f***ing twisting’ the brain of her 74-year-old boyfriend.
The legendary coach was reportedly urged to ‘wake up’ and then issued with an ultimatum: ‘You choose your family or [her].’
Last month, an arrest order was issued for Jen Belichick – the wife of Bill Belichick’s son, Steve
Last year, it was reported that Jen savaged Jordon Hudson in a foul-mouthed, 40-minute rant
It followed claims that Belichick’s family started ‘digging into’ Hudson amid fears she could tear down ‘everything he’s built.’ And tensions reportedly spilled over in Belichick’s office on November 8 – after the Tar Heels beat Stanford.
Last month, meanwhile, an arrest order was issued for Jen Belichick. She was due in court in Brunswick County, according to court records obtained by the Daily Mail.
The appearance stemmed from a speeding incident in the town of Leland on May 21, when she was clocked doing 88mph in a 70mph zone in her Jeep by North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Due to her rate of speed, she was ordered to appear in court on July 10. However, she did not show up to her scheduled date. As a result, an arrest order was issued.
Jen and Steve Belichick have been married for nearly a decade and share several children.
