Bill Belichick sends clear message on Steve Belichick’s UNC absence as defensive play calling decision looms

Bill Belichick says he is ready to step in if North Carolina needs him to handle defensive play calling while his son, Steve Belichick, remains on medical leave. With UNC set to open the 2026 season against TCU in Dublin on August 29, there is still no update on Steve’s return. Bill did not confirm who will call the defense, but made it clear he feels prepared if the job falls to him.Bill Belichick addresses Steve Belichick’s UNC defensive roleDuring his August 24 news conference, Bill Belichick was asked whether he could take over defensive play calling if Steve is unavailable. His answer was direct.“Yeah, absolutely. I’ve called as a coach; I’ve called plays on offense, defense, and the kicking game,” Bill said. “But we have a really good staff. I have a lot of confidence in them. But, you know, if I need to do anything, I feel confident in doing it.”That does not mean Bill has officially taken over the defense. He was careful not to say that he would be the person making every call against TCU. When asked if Steve would call plays if he returned, Bill simply said there was “no update” and added that he did not want to discuss the medical situation.“Yeah, no update,” Bill said. “Yeah, not really going to talk about that situation. We’ll work it out.”According to Tar Heel Tribune, Bill also said the staff has been preparing together and that his focus remains on getting the team ready for TCU. The Tar Heels are coming off a 4-8 season, so the defense already has plenty to prove before the first game.Steve was placed on medical leave on August 6. Bill said at the time that the program hoped to have him back “as soon as possible,” but he did not provide a return date or discuss the medical issue. CBS Sports reported that Bill also declined to say whether Steve would be available for the opener.Steve Belichick’s absence leaves UNC with a major decisionSteve has been UNC’s defensive coordinator since 2025. Before joining his father in Chapel Hill, he spent the 2024 season as Washington’s defensive coordinator. He also worked on Bill’s staff with the New England Patriots and called defensive plays there from 2020 through 2023.That experience matters because Steve’s absence does not leave UNC starting from scratch. The coaches already know the defensive system and have been working together during his time away. Bill said the defense would continue to be handled collectively by the staff. WRAL News reported the same approach when Steve’s medical leave was first announced.Bill’s own history also gives UNC another option. He spent much of his NFL career working on defense and has called plays on offense, defense and special teams. Still, taking over the defense would add another major responsibility as he prepares for his second season as UNC’s head coach.For now, the plan remains unclear. Bill has not announced himself as Steve’s replacement, and there is still no public update on Steve’s return. What is clear is that if UNC needs Bill to step in, he believes he can handle it.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.