Stephen Belichick

Stephen Belichick
Belichick in 2021
Biographical details
Born (1987-03-25) March 25, 1987 (age 39)
Summit, New Jersey, U.S.
Playing career
Lacrosse
2008–2011Rutgers
Football
2011Rutgers
PositionsLacrosse: defenseman / long-stick midfielder
Football: Long snapper
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2012–2015New England Patriots (Defensive assistant)
2016–2018New England Patriots (S)
2019New England Patriots (DB)
2020–2023New England Patriots (OLB)
2024Washington (DC/OLB)
2025–2026North Carolina (DC)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships

Stephen C. Belichick (born March 25, 1987) is an American football coach who most recently served as the defensive coordinator for the North Carolina Tar Heels. The son of Bill Belichick, he began his career as a defensive assistant under his father for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) from 2012 to 2023. He rejoined his father with the Tar Heels in 2025 before announcing his resignation in 2026.

Early years

Belichick played lacrosse at The Rivers School in Weston, Massachusetts, and was an All-League Honorable Mention selection in his senior year. He then attended Rutgers University where he continued to play lacrosse as a defenseman and long-stick midfielder (LSM) from 2008 through 2011. He also played for Rutgers Football under coach Greg Schiano in 2011 as a long snapper.

Coaching career

New England Patriots

On May 10, 2012, Belichick was hired as a coaching assistant by the New England Patriots, where his father Bill was the head coach. He served in that position for four seasons before being named safeties coach prior to the start of the 2016 season. He won his first Super Bowl when the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.

On February 5, 2017, Belichick was part of the Patriots coaching staff that won Super Bowl LI. In the game, the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime. He won his third Super Bowl title when the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. The Patriots held the Rams to three points in the lowest scoring Super Bowl ever.

For the 2019 season, after long-time assistant Brian Flores left to become the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Belichick assumed defensive play calling duties previously held by Flores while also operating as the team's secondary coach. On July 28, 2020, the Patriots moved Stephen from safeties to outside linebackers coach and promoted his brother Brian to safeties coach.

Washington

On February 6, 2024, Belichick was hired as the defensive coordinator of the Washington Huskies. On January 3, 2025, Belichick was succeeded by Ryan Walters as defensive coordinator at Washington.

North Carolina Tar Heels

On December 22, 2024, Belichick was hired as the defensive coordinator of the North Carolina Tar Heels, reuniting with his father who was head coach. In 2026, local NBC affiliate WRAL reported that University officials were investigating potential drug use by Belichick while at work, as well as him potentially providing drugs to players.

On September 17, 2026, Belichick resigned from his role as North Carolina defensive coordinator, taking effect on October 27, 2026, at the end of his medical leave.

Personal life

Belichick is the son of NFL head coach Bill Belichick and the grandson of Steve Belichick. His younger brother, Brian Belichick, also works for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, currently serving as the team's defensive back/safeties coach.

References

  1. ↑ "INDIVIDUAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITION; 2005-2006". www.rivers.org. The Rivers School. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  2. ↑ "A Few Good Men". Rutgers Magazine. Rutgers University. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  3. ↑ "2011 Rutgers Football Media Guide". issuu.com/ruathletics/docs. Rutgers Athletics. 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2016.[dead link]
  4. ↑ "Bill Belichick Adds Son, Steve, To Pats' Coaching Staff, Promotes Patricia To Defensive Coordinator". www.cbs.com. CBS. March 10, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  5. ↑ Reiss, Mike (March 18, 2016). "Steve Belichick promoted to Patriots safeties coach". www.espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Super Bowl XLIX - Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots - February 1st, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Super Bowl LIII - Los Angeles Rams vs. New England Patriots - February 3rd, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  9. ↑ Shpigel, Ben (February 4, 2019). "Patriots Win in Lowest-Scoring Super Bowl Ever". The New York Times. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  10. ↑ Callahan, Andrew (November 1, 2019). "Steve Belichick shining as Patriots' defensive play-caller". The Boston Herald. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  11. ↑ Dussault, Mike. "Patriots finalize 2020 coaching staff". www.patriots.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  12. ↑ "UW Huskies announce hire of Steve Belichick as defensive coordinator, Vinnie Sunseri as assistant coach". The Seattle Times. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.[dead link]
  13. ↑ "Ryan Walters Named New UW Defensive Coordinator". www.gohuskies.com. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  14. ↑ Thamel, Pete (December 22, 2024). "Sources: Steve Belichick to join dad at UNC as DC". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  15. ↑ Welter, Pat; Murphy, Brian; Hagel, Jack (September 3, 2026). "Lombardi resigns as UNC investigators probe allegations of drug use, sex within football program". WRAL. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
  16. ↑ Murphy, Brian (September 17, 2026). "UNC's Steve Belichick to resign; investigation finds 'a disregard for Carolina's values'". WRAL. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Brian Belichick - Football Coach". University of North Carolina Athletics.