Bill Belichick Fires 2 of His UNC Assistant Coaches After Disappointing Season — Is His Job Safe?

NEED TO KNOW

• Two of Bill Belichick's assistant coaches have been let go from their roles with the North Carolina Tar Heels, ESPN reported on Dec. 12
• Belichick thanked offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer for their "commitment and many contributions" to the program and athletes
• The Tar Heels won four games and lost eight in Belichick's debut season as head coach

Bill Belichick has fired two of his assistant coaches with the North Carolina Tar Heels after his disappointing first season leading the team.

ESPN was first to report on Friday, Dec. 12 that offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer have been relieved from their roles with UNC Football.

In a statement, Belichick, 73, said, "We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes."

"We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors," Belichick added, per ESPN.

Kitchens' and Priefer's biography pages on the North Carolina website have since been taken down.

Football fans have been questioning Belichick's future at UNC after the 4-8 season, but the Tar Heels said they remain committed to the eight-time Super Bowl winner.

In October, amid rumors that the school was looking to part ways with Belichick, the school’s athletic director Bubba Cunningham said, “Coach Belichick has the full support of the Athletic Department and University."

Before joining Belichick at North Carolina, Priefer served as special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. Kitchens was the head coach of the Browns in 2019 and also coached for the New York Giants.

PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for Belichick and North Carolina but did not immediately hear back.

On Dec. 3, Belichick was named one of the finalists for the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Class alongside Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The former head coach and Kraft, 84, have gone back and forth in a public spat since Belichick's departure from the Patriots in January 2024.

Belichick put that feud aside, however, to include Kraft in his statement celebrating the nominees. Offering his "congratulations" to the other finalists, Belichick named former 49ers running back Roger Craig, retired Bengals quarterback Kenny Anderson, L.C. Greenwood formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers. "And of course, Robert Kraft," he added.

And in his personal life, Belichick and his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson appear to be going strong. When the couple was spotted after UNC's final game of the season on Nov. 29, Belichick was seen wrapping Hudson, wearing a tank top and sheer pants, in his puffer jacket near their car.

The head coach was also spotted supporting Hudson at her cheerleading competition on Nov. 16 in North Carolina.

Read the original article on People