CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — With less than three weeks until North Carolina football’s 2025 season debut, new head coach Bill Belichick said fundamentals on the offensive side of the ball have been a focus this week during training camp — the team’s first with pads on.
A battle for the starting quarterback position has already led to a heavy interest in UNC’s potential passing game plans, but Belichick said much of that part of the offense can be worked on regardless of restrictions.
“You can install a lot of the passing game with no pads on. You know, guys run around, honestly there’s not a lot of contact,” Belichick said Wednesday. “Eliminate the contact part and get the timing part of the passing game and the coverages and so forth.”
The nature of the ground game, however, means contact is necessary to practice key elements.
“The running game’s a little different story. So today’s our second day in pads, full pads, so we’re gonna concentrate more on the running game because this is our chance to concentrate on it,” said Belichick on Wednesday. “It’s not just knowing what to do, but it’s actually working on the fundamentals of doing it.”
Fundamentals are especially key as new running backs are looking to fill the big shoes of Omarion Hampton, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in April with the No. 22 overall pick. Hampton scored 36 rushing touchdowns — the third highest amount in UNC history — and recorded 3,565 career yards over his three-year career in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels open the 2025 season at home against TCU in a primetime game on Labor Day night.