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Bill Belichick's son, Steve, has resigned from his position with the University of North Carolina after an investigation into the football program's culture found 'a disregard for Carolina's values and standards of conduct.'
Steve, 39, was mysteriously placed on medical leave last month before a bombshell report from WRAL alleged investigators were looking into whether the defensive coordinator used drugs on the job or supplied drugs to at least one Tar Heels player.
Steve, who was serving as his father's defensive coordinator and was in the final year of a $2.7 million contract, will officially leave his post on October 27 once his medical leave is complete.
UNC released a statement on Thursday morning, announcing the investigation into the football team's culture had concluded.
It read: 'The investigation determined that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina's values and standards of conduct. The investigation also found that these actions were isolated in scope and not a systemic failure.'
Also in the statement, UNC announced it has suspended freshman wide receiver Keeyun Chapman from the team 'indefinitely' after he was arrested on a misdemeanor gun charge Tuesday night.
Bill Belichick's son, Steve, has resigned from his position with the University of North Carolina
It comes as another bitter blow for his 74-year-old dad in the early weeks of the new season
Steve previously worked for his legendary father at the New England Patriots and helped the team to win three Super Bowls before joining him in Chapel Hill after spending the 2024 season at the University of Washington.
His exit comes two weeks after Michael Lombardi, a key longtime Belichick ally and UNC's football general manager, also resigned.
Lombardi, 67, was put on paid administrative leave in July following an internal human resources complaint filed by a former staffer. He was paid $1.5 million-a-year by UNC, making him the top-paid GM in the college game.
Following Lombardi's exit, it emerged lawyers investigating the program were probing allegations of drug use and sexual relationships among players and staff.
According to WRAL, investigators from Barnes & Thornburg LLP, who were hired by UNC, had turned their attention to Belichick's son.
The report alleged lawyers were questioning people over whether he used drugs while working or supplied drugs to at least one player.
In a separate matter, lawyers were also allegedly investigating whether a member of the Tar Heels' recruiting staff had a sexual relationship with a player. They also quizzed people about potential sexual relationships between other assistant coaches and members of the recruiting staff.
The WRAL report claimed those being interviewed by lawyers were asked about the culture of the Tar Heels program under Belichick and Lombardi. Investigators were asking for documents and images of text conversations and whether anybody had told Belichick about any 'questionable behavior.'
Those being spoken to included current and former players, their parents and staff members. Lombardi was also among those to be interviewed.
UNC's football GM - and a key Belichick ally - Michael Lombardi also resigned this month
Steve Belichick previously worked on his dad's staff with the New England Patriots
Just a week after Lombardi was placed on leave in July and the investigation was launched, Belichick revealed that Steve had been placed on leave due to a mysterious 'medical situation.'
Steve was due to meet with the media after UNC's first preseason practice on July 29, but it was later claimed he was 'feeling under the weather'.
His dad announced a week later, on August 6, that he was on medical leave with no timetable to return.
'We look forward to getting him back as soon as possible,' the eight-time Super Bowl winner said at the time.
'It's a medical situation so I really can't make any further comment.'
Last year Steve's wife, Jen, savaged Belichick's partner, Jordon Hudson, in a foul-mouthed, 40-minute rant in front of the NFL legend.
The New York Post claimed Jen branded Hudson, 25, 'bats*** crazy' back in November and accused her of 'f***ing twisting' the brain of her 74-year-old boyfriend.
The legendary coach was reportedly urged to 'wake up' and then issued with an ultimatum: 'You choose your family or [her].'
It followed claims that Belichick's family started 'digging into' Hudson amid fears she could tear down 'everything he's built.'
And tensions reportedly spilled over in Belichick's office on November 8 – after the Tar Heels beat Stanford.
Jen Belichick, wife of Steve, reportedly lashed out at Jordon Hudson in a 40-minute rant
Jen and Steve Belichick have been married for nearly a decade and share several children.
The exits of both his son and Lombardi, plus the widening scope of the investigation, come as a bitter blow for Belichick in the early stages of his second season in charge of the Tar Heels.
Belichick endured a difficult inaugural season in Chapel Hill, with the Tar Heels posting a disappointing 4-8 record in 2025.
UNC's 2026 season has started with two victories – over TCU and East Tennessee State.
But they have two difficult games back-to-back against Clemson on Saturday and Notre Dame on October 3.
