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Bill Belichick continued to make changes to his UNC 2026 roster after a disappointing start to his collegiate coaching career.
The North Carolina Tar Heels have added former Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens out of the transfer portal, marking the third quarterback UNC has added this offseason, according to On3.
The Tar Heels also added former Wisconsin signal-caller Billy Edwards Jr. and former Texas A&M quarterback Miles O’Neill.
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Western Carolina Catamounts quarterback Taron Dickens (5) points toward a receiver as he comes out of the pocket during the game between the Chattanooga Mocs and the Western Carolina Catamounts on November 1, 2025 at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Charles Mitchell/Sportswire Icon)
Dickens had a 3,508-yard 2025 season with 38 touchdowns to just two interceptions. And he threw for 5,063 yards with 51 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 74% completion rate in his three seasons at Western Carolina.
Now, Dickens has joined a crowded quarterback room where there will surely be strong competition this spring to determine who will be Belichick’s starter in Week 1.
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Last season, the Tar Heels went 4-8 under Belichick during a lackluster season that included an off-the-field controversy regarding his relationship with his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick leads his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
At the same time, as NFL teams were firing their head coaches mid-season and right after the 2025 season ended, Belichick was rumored to be in the running for some jobs. However, he released a statement about his commitment to the Tar Heels and that that wouldn’t change if an NFL team came calling.
As a result, Belichick and his staff are focused on putting the right team together for a better 2026 campaign, which includes a change at the most important position on the field.
Last season, Gio Lopez was the lead quarterback for the Tar Heels, who totaled 1,747 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions on 261 attempts. He also totaled 133 yards on 86 carries.
Max Johnson and Au’Tori Newkirk also had limited attempts for UNC last season.
Western Carolina Catamounts quarterback Taron Dickens (5) comes out of the pocket looking down during the game between the Chattanooga Mocs and the Western Carolina Catamounts on November 1, 2025 at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Charles Mitchell/Sportswire Icon)
Belichick and his staff have worked beyond quarterback this offseason, adding offensive lineman Andrew Threatt, tight end Jaxxon Warren and defensive linemen Tarvorise Brown and Jaylen Harvey, among others.
