The North Carolina Tar Heels needed to make some sweeping changes after the Bill Belichick experiment failed in Year 1.

The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach had much to learn about the college game, which he had never coached before. Belichick made more concerted efforts to recruit ACC-level players. He also brought in legendary coach Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator.

How much those changes boost UNC this fall remains to be seen. Wide receiver Jordan Shipp is optimistic the team will be better this season because much of the roster has familiarity with each other and Belichick.

"We've had the same team the whole year," Ship said during the ACC Kickoff media event on Friday in Charlotte, via ESPN. "We didn't get 40 guys in December. All of them leaving and get another 50 in May.

"So I mean, just being able to have the same team for the whole offseason ... that's what's going to really separate us from last year, being able to build that chemistry."

Still, many of the projected starters will be new to the program. Per OurLads, 10 starters are projected to be transfers from this offseason, including six on the offensive side of the ball.

The biggest question on offense, and for Ship, is who will be throwing the football in 2026?

Billy Edwards Jr. and Miles O'Neill, both transfers, are set to battle for the starting quarterback job this fall. Both quarterbacks will be splitting reps while fighting for the job when they need to build chemistry with their receivers.

Belichick told reporters on Friday that he didn't know when he'd make the decision for a starting quarterback in training camp.

"I wish I knew the answer to it now, but I don't," Belichick said.

Belichick was weary of making a decision quickly and then having to make a change before the season.

What that means is that the UNC staff isn't confident with any of the quarterbacks they saw during spring football. No one has clearly emerged, and that could be an issue for the Tar Heels early in the season.

Until the newcomers are settled in, Belichick will rely on Ship and other holdovers from the 2025 season to hold the fort.