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Bill Belichick decided to return to coaching in 2025 and was announced as the new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels.
The legendary coach has been in Chapel Hill for a month now, and his inaugural staff is coming together. On Wednesday, it was announced that former SEC assistant Will Friend will take over as the Tar Heels’ offensive line coach.
Friend spent the 2024 season as the offensive coordinator at Western Kentucky. The coach helped the Hilltoppers end the season with the No. 26 passing offense in the nation. Before his time at Western, Friend had stints coaching offensive lines at Auburn, Mississippi State, Georgia, and Tennessee.
The coach also served as the OL coach under Mike Bobo at Colorado State for 3 seasons.
Before entering coaching, Friend was a four-year starter on the Alabama offensive line and a two-time All-SEC selection. Since becoming a coach, Friend has seen 9 of his linemen go on to have NFL careers. The coach was instrumental in developing Trey Smith, Wanya Morris, and Darnell Wright at Tennessee, who have all excelled in the NFL.
The OL coach for the Tar Heels in 2024 was Randy Clements. During Clements’ 2nd season in that role, the Tar Heels finished No. 104 in sacks allowed.
Belichick’s staff is now taking shape. The coach kept veteran coach Freddie Kitchens around as the OC. Kitchens has been with North Carolina since 2023. At defensive coordinator, Belichick is reuniting with his son, Steve, who spent the 2024 season at Washington. The father-son duo also spent time together in New England with the Patriots.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
