Bill Belichick has a backer in the ACC offices.

Conference commissioner Jim Phillips told the Charlotte Observer this week that the North Carolina head coach “deserves time” despite a turbulent start to his tenure in Chapel Hill.

“I’m excited about the future of North Carolina football. I am,” Phillips told the outlet. “I think it was a difficult situation, a transition period, and you have the all-time winningest football coach and one of the greatest coaches in the game. He deserves time. He deserves support. And I think he’s got a really good plan moving forward.”

Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels smiles during warmups prior to their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Getty Images

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