Michael Jordan, other stars expected at Bill Belichick's UNC coaching debut
High-profile alumni including Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm and Lawrence Taylor are reported to be in Chapel Hill for Belichick's first game as North Carolina's head coach; TCU opens as a 3.5-point favorite.
A star-studded crowd is expected Monday when Bill Belichick makes his debut as the University of North Carolina's head coach, with basketball great Michael Jordan among several high-profile alumni and celebrities reported to be in attendance for the Tar Heels' season opener against TCU.
ESPN reported that Jordan will be joined by former U.S. women's soccer star Mia Hamm, Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, former NFL defensive end Julius Peppers, country singer Chase Rice and others. Country singer Eric Church and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell also were listed among those expected to attend. Several of the visitors — Jordan, Hamm, Taylor, Peppers and Rice — have ties to UNC.
Belichick was hired by North Carolina in December 2024 after a year away from coaching following his mutual split with the New England Patriots in January 2024. Widely regarded as one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, Belichick won six Super Bowls during 24 seasons with the Patriots. Monday's game at Kenan Memorial Stadium will be his first at the collegiate level.
The matchup carries heightened attention beyond celebrity sightings. The Horned Frogs opened as 3.5-point favorites on the road, reflecting early markets' assessment of the teams as the college football season begins amid roster turnover and conference realignment that have complicated preseason projections.
UNC enters the season following a 6-7 record in 2024 under Mack Brown. The program has undergone change in the offseason, including a new coaching staff led by Belichick and roster movement common in the transfer portal era. TCU, coming off a season that kept it in national conversation, is expected to present a test for Belichick's first collegiate game plan.
Observers and oddsmakers cited the broader shifts in college football — including frequent coaching changes and the transfer portal — as factors making outcomes harder to predict than in past seasons. Betting lines this week reflected those uncertainties while also indicating respect for TCU's recent continuity and personnel.
The high-profile attendance underscores the level of interest in Belichick's transition to college coaching, where his NFL résumé and national profile add a different dimension to a program with deep ties to professional and collegiate sports figures. Michael Jordan's presence, in particular, carries resonance in Chapel Hill, where Jordan's connection to Tar Heel basketball remains a touchstone for the university's athletic identity.
Kickoff time and broadcast details were announced by the schools and networks; the game marks the beginning of what both fans and media will view as a pivotal season for North Carolina football as it adjusts to Belichick's leadership and seeks to rebound from last year's results. Officials and representatives for the university did not immediately provide comments on the reported guest list.
Monday's game will be watched for on-field signs of how Belichick's approach translates to college personnel and preparation, and for how the high-profile attendance shapes the atmosphere in Chapel Hill.