CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — A much-anticipated day has finally come to Chapel Hill. UNC Chapel Hill football welcomed new head coach Bill Belichick as he takes the helm for the Tar Heels first game of the season.
Hours before the game, people on and around campus were already stirring with excitement. Tar Heel fans are excited but also curious about this new era.
“When you have the best football coach of all time leading the program, we’re optimistic,” said Tar Hell fan David Miller.
UNC Chapel Hill’s match up against TCU was scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff but by 8 a.m., Miller was already setting up his tailgate.
Miller and a group of other families secured their spot about a decade ago. Sitting between Polk Place and Kenan Memorial Stadium, it’s prime real estate.
“If we don’t get here, we may not have our spot but we want to start at 1:30 p.m. and some people may be here as early as 10 o’clock so we need to set up and get ready,” Miller said.
He’s cooking more than 50 pounds of Texas brisket and Carolina pulled pork, a nod to the TCU-UNC matchup.
“Started cooking last night around 9 o’clock, been going all night. I’ll have to go all day,” Miller said.
He and other fans wearing their Carolina Blue are hoping Belichick lives up to the hype.
“Our prior coach, we weren’t winning games appropriately so now we’re back and we have the best coach of all time,” said Austin Maloney.
He and Suzy Ruggles will be watching the game from a sold-out Kenan Memorial Stadium.
“We can’t wait, excited to see him, excited to get some wins,” Ruggles said.
Many more will watch from home, including Chapel Hill locals like the Hingtgen.
“So excited to have Chapel Hill football back, UNC, Chapel Hill born and bred, Chapel Bill!” said Elliott Hingtgen.
Her parents lived in Boston when Belichick was still coaching the New England Patriots. Expectations are high with the 8-time Super Bowl winner on the sidelines.
“So happy to have such an amazing football coach with our amazing program,” said Hingtgen.
Win or lose, Carolina fans welcome a new chapter.
“Hopefully there’s a good result,” said Miller.