Jen Belichick, daughter-in-law of University of North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick, has broken her silence after her husband’s resignation from the coaching staff.
“We are grateful for our time and our opportunity in Chapel Hill, and we are very proud of our influence on the positive direction of the program,” Jen, 36, wrote in a statement shared with ESPN on Thursday, September 17. “Our priority will always be to show up with a healthy and strong mind for ourselves and our 5 children. We are humbled by the relationships that have been fostered here in North Carolina and would like to thank each and every person that has positively impacted our experience.”
Steve Belichick, son of the legendary head coach, resigned from his role as defensive coordinator on Thursday amid an investigation into the “culture and climate” of the football program. He had been on medical leave since August and was not with the team for its first two games of the 2026 season.
Jen continued, “Unfortunately there is misinformation and speculation about our own situation, but we believe prioritizing health as the most important thing you can do in this life and is invaluable compared to anything else. We strongly encourage anyone in need of support to utilize their resources in order to achieve the best version of themselves.”
Bill’s other son, Brian, remains on staff as the defensive backs and safeties coach.
“We will always be Uncle Brian and Pop’s biggest supporters and have no doubt that the UNC defense is prepared to ball out,” Jen concluded. “GO HEELS 🩵.”
North Carolina was not specific about the findings of its probe, but Steve was reportedly being investigated for allegedly using drugs on the job and providing drugs to at least one player.
“The investigation determined that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina’s values and standards of conduct,” the university said in a statement on Thursday. “The investigation also found that these actions were isolated in scope and not a systemic failure.”
The statement continued, “Throughout the investigation, the University has been guided by the legal advice of outside counsel. All necessary corrective actions are now underway and will be overseen by Carolina Athletics and the Office of University Counsel. With these actions, the University considers the investigation to be resolved.”
In addition to Steve, UNC general manager Michael Lombardi also resigned amid the investigation after a human resources complaint was filed against him by a former team front office employee.
“I want to thank Chancellor [Lee] Roberts and Bill Belichick for the opportunity to serve as the GM of UNC Football,” Lombardi, 50, said in a statement released through his lawyer earlier this month. “I have decided it’s best for me to resign my position as GM to allow the team to focus on the ‘26 season.”
