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Bill Belichick's University of North Carolina football team has become engulfed in more chaos after a player was suspended indefinitely on Thursday following a gun arrest this week.
The decision to suspend freshman wide receiver Keeyun Chapman was announced in the same statement that revealed Belichick's son, Steve, had resigned from his role as defensive coordinator.
UNC also announced that the investigation into the football program's culture found 'a disregard for Carolina's values and standards of conduct' on a chastening day for Belichick, the eight-time Super Bowl champion.
Chapman was arrested on Tuesday night on a misdemeanor gun charge, according to police reports. He was arrested after cops pulled over teammate CJ Sadler's 2024 Cadillac Escalade.
Chapman was charged with a misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon (handgun) at 9.30pm in Chapel Hill. Sadler was cited for speeding with police alleging he drove at least 60mph in a 35mph zone. Also, 15.1 grams of marijuana were seized from the car.
The wide receiver joined Belichick's Tar Heels from Jackson High School in Alabama and was the school's fifth-highest-rated prospect in their 2026 recruiting class. He did not play a single snap in this season's wins over TCU and East Tennessee State.
Bill Belichick's University of North Carolina football team has suspended Keeyun Chapman indefinitely following a gun arrest this week
'Chapman's suspension reflects the University's commitment to accountability and the well-being of its student athletes,' UNC said in a statement
'Carolina Football has suspended Keeyun Chapman from the team indefinitely in connection with an incident Tuesday night,' the school said in a statement on Thursday.
'Chapman's suspension, like the actions resulting from the investigation, reflect the University's commitment to accountability and the well-being of its student athletes.'
In a chaotic day in Chapel Hill, it was also announced that Belichick's 39-year-old son, Steve, will resign from his role once his medical leave is complete on October 27.
Steve 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 was serving as his father's defensive coordinator and was in the final year of a $2.7 million contract.
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.'
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.
Bill Belichick's son, Steve, has resigned from his position with the University of North Carolina
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
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.'
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.
