Bill Belichick is leaning on a familiar face to help UNC in a part of the game that too often gets treated like an afterthought.
Brandon Bolden, who spent much of his 11-year NFL career as a special teams standout under Belichick with the New England Patriots, is now in Chapel Hill helping coach the Tar Heels’ special teams unit during training camp. He was first noticed by the media when UNC opened 2026 training camp on Thursday, and it was later reported that he is there in an official coaching capacity for at least the next few weeks. Whether that turns into something longer-term once the 2026 season begins on August 29 in Ireland is still unclear.
Bolden’s playing résumé gives the move real weight. He was more than just a special teams specialist when the ball was in his hands, finishing his NFL career with 1,394 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, plus 959 receiving yards and seven more scores. But the reason he stuck in the league for so long was the value he brought on special teams, the kind of value Belichick has always prized.
That’s what makes this such a smart staff move. Special teams success isn’t just about filling space on the field; it demands total buy-in, the willingness to embrace a role that can open doors elsewhere.
For younger players, it can be the fastest way to get noticed. And for guys trying to carve out an NFL future, being excellent in that phase of the game can be the difference between hanging around and getting left behind.
Belichick has long had an eye for players who thrive in that lane, and Bolden was a perfect example during his NFL run. Now he gets a chance to pass that mindset along to UNC’s roster, offering the kind of advice and encouragement that can help a unit build real footing heading into 2026 and beyond.
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Old UNC Football Quote Just Became Even More Embarrassing
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Instead, last season became a harsh reminder of how far the Tar Heels still had to go, with no players selected in the NFL Draft and growing criticism of Lombardis approach from inside and around the program, according to The Athletic. The disconnect between the aspiration and the on-field reality has made that quote linger for all the wrong reasons, especially as questions continue to follow his personnel decisions. [Read more 🡒]
UNCs Center Problem Suddenly Has A Familiar Reunion Twist
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For UNC, the timing adds a familiar twist to a roster issue that has lingered around the program. Washington spent three seasons in Chapel Hill before transferring, and his name now naturally surfaces whenever the Tar Heels are thinking about size, depth and continuity at center. Whether that reunion ever gets beyond the speculative stage is still the open question, but the possibility alone makes this a storyline worth monitoring. [Read more 🡒]