Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Tar Heels fell 17-16 to the Virginia Cavaliers in overtime Saturday after a two-point conversion attempt came up inches short at the goal line. The loss dropped the Tar Heels to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in the ACC, marking their fourth straight defeat.
The game remained tied 10-10 through regulation before both teams scored touchdowns in overtime. After Virginia’s J’Mari Taylor gave the Cavaliers a 17-10 lead with a 1-yard touchdown run, North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez connected with Davion Gause for a UNC touchdown. Belichick chose to go for the win rather than kick the extra point, but Lopez’s pass to Ben Hall fell short at the pylon.
How Are Fans Reacting to Bill Belichick’s UNC Struggles?
The criticism poured across X immediately after Saturday’s overtime loss in Chapel Hill. The defeat marked North Carolina’s fourth consecutive loss and exposed continued offensive struggles under the first-year head coach.
Another user pulled no punches with a simple demand: “Bill Belichick needs to be fired right now.”
Bill Belichick needs to be fired right now.
— damian (@bushy2wavvey) October 25, 2025
Another fan framed the entire situation as entertainment, suggesting the NFL legend has become a punchline: “The UNC Tar Heels are, without a doubt, the funniest story in college football. Bill Belichick is, without a doubt, the funniest character in college football this year.”
The UNC Tar Heels are, without a doubt, the funniest story in college football.
Bill Belichick is, without a doubt, the funniest character in college football this year.
— Urfa Mann (@MannUrfa) October 25, 2025
A frustrated user directed their demand at school officials: “They need to fire Bill Belichick today because wtf. UNC Chapel should had just kicked it.”
They need to fire Bill Belichick today because wtf. UNC Chapel should had just kicked it.
— Jay (@GodsSonAtEarth) October 25, 2025
One fan thanked Belichick sarcastically for his coaching performance: “Thanks for nothing @UNCFootball Bill Belichick to a retirement home NOW.”
Thanks for nothing @UNCFootball Bill Belichick to a retirement home NOW https://t.co/h3I4zvxvdm
— Steven Balboni (@balbonishit) October 25, 2025
One user didn’t mince words about Belichick’s college coaching future, saying, “Bill Belichick should never coach again.”
Bill Belichick should never coach again
— Nico (@1ofwuneth) October 25, 2025
A sixth fan questioned Belichick’s college credentials entirely after the goal line failure: “And Bill Belichick proves he has no business in college football. Stupid.”
And Bill Belichick proves he has no business in college football. Stupid.
— Williamncaudill (@wncaudill) October 25, 2025
The backlash came from Belichick’s decision to chase the win rather than play it safe. With the game tied after Lopez’s touchdown, he waved off the kicking unit and went for two. The pass to Hall fell inches short, ending the game and igniting a firestorm online.
What Do PFSN Rankings Say About UNC’s Performance?
The numbers paint a clear picture of North Carolina’s struggles this season. PFSN’s Offense Impact metric ranks the Tar Heels 249th nationally with a 69.4 score and D+ grade through six games. Virginia sits 160th nationally with an 82.7 Offense Impact score and a B- grade.
North Carolina managed just 18.7 points and 267.7 total yards per game while converting only 32.43 percent on third down. The rushing attack generated a mere 105.2 yards per contest, ranking among the ACC’s worst units.
The defense performed slightly better, but couldn’t compensate for offensive failures. PFSN’s Defense Impact metric gives UNC a 74.3 score and a C grade, ranking it 157th nationally, while Virginia earned a 79.0 score and a C+ grade, ranking it 45th.
PFSN’s Playoff Meter projected just 4.43 wins for the Tar Heels with a 0.04 percent playoff chance and 0.01 percent conference title probability. Virginia sat at 9.22 projected wins with 30.9 percent conference championship odds and 13.5 percent playoff chances.
The overtime loss to Virginia in the South’s Oldest Rivalry dropped Belichick to 2-5 in his debut season. North Carolina faces five remaining games to salvage credibility, but social media has already weighed in on the NFL legend’s transition to college football.
