North Carolina fired two of Bill Belichick’s assistants after a 4-8 season, marking more turbulence in his first year leading the Tar Heels amid ongoing controversy.

Bill Belichick has fired two of his assistant coaches with the North Carolina Tar Heels after his disappointing first season leading the team. ESPN was first to report on Friday, Dec. 12 that offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer have been relieved from their roles with UNC Football.

Belichick inherited Kitchens, as the former Browns coach had been at UNC since 2023. With the Tar Heels, he had served as tight ends coach and run game coordinator (2023-24), interim coach after Mack Brown’s firing (2024) and then offensive coordinator under Belichick this season.

Bill Belichick's recent staff changes at UNC are rekindling painful memories for Cleveland Browns fans, reminding them of past coaching failures and instability in the franchise that could soon resurface again.

Bill Belichick is under fire after firing UNC special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, with fans blasting his sweeping staff overhaul.

Belichick led a disastrous first season with the Tar Heels, going 4-8 and missing out on a bowl as rumors swirled about the 73-year-old’s future with the program and a toxic locker room environment.