After a rough debut season on the college sidelines, Bill Belichick is already making major changes. The North Carolina Tar Heels head coach has fired two coaching assistants following a disappointing 4–8 record, according to People. Offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will not return next season, Belichick confirmed in a statement shared with ESPN. Belichick thanked both assistants for their “commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” and wished them success in the future. The move comes after the team lost three consecutive games to close out the season, capping a disappointing debut year for the eight-time Super Bowl–winning coach. The double-firing follows a rocky season, but the university has previously signaled it is standing behind Belichick. People reported that in October, amid rumors that the longtime NFL coach could be on the chopping block, the school’s athletic director voiced support for Belichick. Priefer had joined the staff just this season, while Kitchens had been with the program since 2023. Both coaches’ bios have swiftly been removed from the school’s athletics website. Whether the double-firing is enough to jump-start a turnaround for the Tar Heels next season remains to be seen.
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