UNC's Belichick era under pressure after Clemson loss and suspension

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. Bill Belichick’s first season as North Carolina’s head coach worsened over the weekend as the Tar Heels were routed 38-10 by Clemson on Saturday, and the loss has been followed by mounting reports of internal turmoil, an assistant coach suspension and preliminary discussions about the coach’s future. The defeat dropped North Carolina to 2-3 and intensified scrutiny over on-field results, program operations and potential contract implications at Kenan Stadium.

Clemson built a 28-3 lead in the first quarter and cruised the rest of the way as a sizable portion of the home crowd left before halftime. Belichick, who took the job in December after a long NFL career, told reporters after the game that his team must "keep doing what we’re doing but do them better," adding that mental errors and coaching lapses contributed to the loss. His statement was echoed this week in a brief joint response with the university, in which Belichick said he is "fully committed to UNC Football," and the athletic director said Belichick has the department’s full support.

The on-field slide has coincided with off-field developments that have heightened pressure on the program. The...