Bill Belichick returns for his second season after North Carolina finished 4-8 overall and 2-6 in ACC play in 2025. Bobby Petrino arrives from Arkansas as offensive coordinator, while Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards takes over as the starting quarterback after making 16 career starts at the Power Conference level. Demon June and Benjamin Hall return at running back, while Jordan Shipp returns after leading North Carolina with 60 receptions last season. Wisconsin transfer Trech Kekahuna joins the receiving corps after making 26 catches in 2025. The offensive line will feature several new starters, with Jordan Hall and Aidan Banfield among the returning contributors after each started four of the five games he played last season. Keeping both healthy will be important as North Carolina looks to establish continuity across a reworked offensive front.

Steve Belichick returns as defensive coordinator but is currently on indefinite medical leave. North Carolina returns four of its top eleven tacklers from last season after losing its top three. Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Leroy Jackson return as full-time starters after making 11 starts apiece, while Kaleb Cost adds significant starting experience after making eight. Jaiden Patterson also brings significant starting experience to the secondary after making six starts, while Coleman Bryson returns to the defensive backfield. Isaiah Johnson returns along the defensive front, while Syracuse transfer Derek McDonald joins a linebacker group that will feature several new contributors.

Billy Miller takes over as special teams coordinator as North Carolina replaces its primary placekicker, punter, and punt returner from last season. LSU transfer Aeron Burrell joins the program at placekicker and is among the leading options to handle field goals and kickoffs, while Kaleb Cost is a candidate to take over on punt returns. Jaylen McGill returns with experience in the kickoff-return game. North Carolina enters 2026 with a new offensive coordinator and considerable turnover along the offensive line, at linebacker, and throughout special teams. The Tar Heels return their leading receiver and several experienced defenders while working numerous new contributors into roles on both sides of the ball.