CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Anticipation continues to build across Chapel Hill, just days away from the official start of the Bill Belichick era at UNC.
“I know all of my friends are going and everybody that doesn’t have a ticket is begging for it,” said Zane Buckner, a junior.
Buckner grew up in Chapel Hill and has spent years going to games at Kenan Stadium, “It’s kinda crazy to think about that I’m here in little old Chapel Hill, and eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick is here with me.”
Belichick won six Super Bowls at the helm of the New England Patriots, and two others as an assistant with the New York Giants.
A few weeks into the fall semester, hype around campus has continued to grow to see what Belichick can do on the Carolina sidelines.
“I’m feeling great, I know that they’ve really restructured the way that practices work and they’re holding players very accountable, they’re making sure it’s a pro-like process. I’m really excited for the season,” said sophomore Harrison Roy.
With all the excitement also comes big expectaitons. The Tar Heels are coming off a disappointing 6-7 season last year, with plenty of hope the legendary coach can significantly change the team’s trajectory.
“I, myself, am like delusionally hopeful that maybe we make the playoffs or something like that. I think that everybody’s just really excited to see where the tone of the first game goes, set the tone for rest of the season,” said Buckner.
The hype around campus has also spilled over onto Franklin Street, with businesses already gearing up for what should be a massive few days ahead.
“Oh, we’re expecting to be full, starting tonight all the way through to Monday night,” said Carolina Brewery General Manager Anthony Lazzari.
Lazzari says he’s never seen this much excitement surrounding a UNC football team, “I keep telling everybody, it’s not a basketball school anymore, it’s definitely a football school right now.”
UNC will kick off its season Monday night at 8 p.m. against the TCU Horned Frogs in front of an expected sell-out crowd.
TCU is coming off of a 9-4 season, rounding out their campaign with a bowl victory against Louisiana-Lafayette. The Horned Frogs go into Chapel Hill for Belichick’s debut as slight favorites.