Overview

• North Carolina is 2-3 with lopsided losses to TCU, UCF and Clemson after a heavily hyped offseason overhaul.
• A WRAL report quoted parents and program sources calling the environment "toxic" and "an unstructured mess" driven by poor leadership.
• Sources described prolonged breakdowns in communication, including parents being told not to approach Bill Belichick and limited access to defensive coordinator Steve Belichick.
• Multiple sources alleged preferential treatment for certain transfers, including extra tickets, better parking and unique field access for one family, with leniency on missed workouts or classes.
• General manager Michael Lombardi has taken on media duties and was characterized by sources as "rude," while Belichick accepted coaching responsibility after the Clemson loss; reports also say Patriots scouts have been barred from campus; UNC returns Oct. 17 at Cal to start a seven-game stretch.