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Bill Belichick continued to make changes to his 2026 UNC roster after a disappointing start to his college coaching career.
The North Carolina Tar Heels 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 have 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) signals to a receiver while coming 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 enjoyed a 3,508-yard 2025 season with 38 touchdowns and just two interceptions. And he has thrown 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 room of quarterbacks where there is sure to be stiff 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 in a lackluster season that included an off-field controversy involving his relationship with his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
At the same time, with NFL teams firing their head coaches midseason and just after the 2025 season ended, Belichick was rumored to be in the running for certain positions. However, he released a statement about his commitment to the Tar Heels and how that won’t change if an NFL team comes calling.
As a result, Belichick and his staff are focused on building the right team for a better 2026 campaign, which includes a change at the most important position on the field.
Last season, Gio Lopez was the Tar Heels’ primary quarterback, who threw for 1,747 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions on 261 attempts. He also rushed for 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 the field 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 been working beyond the quarterback this offseason, adding offensive lineman Andrew Threatt, tight end Jaxxon Warren and defensive linemen Tarvorise Brown and Jaylen Harvey, among others.
