The Bill Belichick era at Chapel Hill is officially underway.

On Monday, Belichick and North Carolina secured their first transfer portal coup after former Holy Cross offensive lineman Christo Kelly committed to the Tar Heels, per On3.

Kelly becomes the first player to commit to UNC since Belichick stunningly took up the head coaching role last week. The former New England Patriots coach made an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show earlier Monday and hinted that some transfer activity was in the works for North Carolina. Hours later, that statement proved true after Kelly joined the ranks.

Kelly is a redshirt senior, having had been at Holy Cross since 2020. He made the All-Patriot League Third Team in 2023 as a standout interior offensive lineman, and figures to provide some meaningful experience and protection in the trenches for the Tar Heels in 2025.

As Belichick suggested earlier Monday, there figure to be plenty more incoming transfers to bolster North Carolina’s roster in his debut season as coach. UNC finished the 2024 season with a 6–6 record but went 3–5 in ACC play, finishing 13th in the conference.

Many suspect the Patriots coaching staff will look different next season.

For starters, Jerod Mayo and all of his assistants should be evaluated after yet another unsuccessful campaign in New England. Additionally, as is the case every offseason, there’s a possibility Patriots coaches leave Foxboro, Mass., for new opportunities.

One coach to watch might be Brian Belichick, whose legendary father, Bill Belichick, recently became the head football coach at North Carolina. But when Mayo met with the media Monday, the Patriots head coach claimed the possibility of Belichick leaving New England for Chapel Hill “hasn’t come up at all” in conversations with his safeties coach, per the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed.

Last Thursday, Brian Belichick was asked directly if he would leave the Patriots to reunite with the eight-time Super Bowl champion. A New England staffer since 2017, the younger Belichick stiff-armed the question and stressed his focus was on the Patriots’ Week 15 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

There’s reason to believe Brian Belichick will be back with New England in 2025. Unlike his brother, Steve, Brian Belichick decided to keep his job with the Patriots after Bill Belichick was fired last January. That said, Brian Belichick might be inclined to seek a fresh start following a string of brutal seasons for the Patriots.

As for Brian’s brother, Steve is expected to leave Washington after one season as the Huskies’ defensive coordinator to join the Tar Heels staff.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour was presented with the state’s highest honor by Gov. Roy Cooper after Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Brind’Amour received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is given to people who have made significant contributions to the state and their community.

“I went into the locker room after the game and told the players that this guy wouldn’t want me to do what I was about to do because this guy is all about his players and all about team,” Cooper said.

Cooper was in the Hurricanes’ locker room prior to the game to read the starting lineup before returning amid the postgame celebration. The 67-year-old Cooper has long been a supporter of the Hurricanes and frequently attends home games.

“What he has meant to North Carolina is extraordinary, both as a player, as a coach, as a parent, involvement in youth hockey,” Cooper said. “When you think about all of the jobs the Carolina Hurricanes have brought to North Carolina and their success. … This guy has created a culture of winning.”

Brind’Amour is in his seventh season as Carolina’s coach. He also played for 10 years in Carolina, serving as captain of the franchise’s only Stanley Cup championship team in 2006.

“It’s not about me,” Brind’Amour said. “We’ve got such a good group. I was a part of a group of great people all along.”

Cooper has previously presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to retired Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. Cooper said he’ll present the honor to former North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams next week.

Cooper, a Democrat, is finishing his second four-year term as governor. He was prevented from seeking reelection because of term limits.

Cooper had a suggestion for Brind’Amour, saying “Coach, it’s time to get that Stanley Cup this time.”

Carolina’s one Stanley Cup title was won with Peter Laviolette behind the bench.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.