CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – North Carolina senior running back Caleb Hood, who opened the 2025 season as the Tar Heels’ starter, revealed his plans to retire from college football in a social media post on Friday.
“After much thought, prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided to retire from football,” Hood wrote. “My journey at UNC has been special and I appreciate my time here. I am excited to start the next chapter and will always take my memories of Carolina with me. I want to thank Coach Belichick, Coach [Freddie] Kitchens and Coach [Natrone] Means for giving me an opportunity, as well as all my other coaches and teammates throughout my years of football for the impact they’ve all had on my life!”
UNC football coach Bill Belichick also took to social media to issue a statement immediately following Hood’s post.
“Caleb came to me Wednesday and shared his difficult decision to retire from playing football,” Belichick said. “I could feel his conviction and the peace with his pleasing career closing. Caleb is a great person, a leader and an exemplary teammate. He has done everything we have asked him to do as a student-athlete both on and off the field and he has been a model representation of our program. He has battled through injuries the last couple years and worked hard this offseason to stay healthy and compete every day this season. He will always be a Tar Heel and I wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Hood dealt with numerous injuries over the course of his college career, playing in only 31 games across five seasons.
The fifth-year senior opened his 2025 campaign with thunderous applause, scoring the first touchdown of the Belichick era in the home opener against TCU. Hood ended that contest rushing for 31 yards on 10 carries, but mustered just six more rushing attempts over the next four games.
He wraps up his playing days at UNC with 515 yards and three touchdowns on 114 carries, while catching 24 passes for 194 yards and an additional score.
This announcement comes one day after the UNC athletics department announced that Tar Heels cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins was suspended “for violating NCAA rules related to extra benefits.”
Hawkins’ suspension followed recent reports that Belichick and the university were looking to part ways after a disappointing 2-3 start to the season. However, both the head coach and UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham released statements late Wednesday night saying both parties remain committed to the program.
The Tar Heels are off this weekend and will next play at California on Oct. 17.