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David Hale
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The stands at Kenan Stadium have been almost empty lengthy earlier than halftime, and the fervor that surrounded the hiring of Invoice Belichick at North Carolina has, within the span of simply 5 video games, devolved into exasperation and frustration after the Tar Heels appeared terrible but once more in a 38-10 loss to Clemson.
UNC trailed 28-3 after the primary quarter, giving up 14 factors on Clemson’s first 4 performs. The Heels at the moment are 0-3 towards Energy 4 groups, having been outscored by a mixed whole of 120-33.
Regardless of the struggles, Belichick shrugged off a necessity for structural modifications so quickly into his tenure.
“The principle factor we have to do is to maintain doing what we’re doing however do them higher,” Belichick mentioned. “Basically we’re not doing the incorrect issues, we’re simply not doing them properly sufficient.”
Belichick chalked up Saturday’s defeat to self-inflicted wounds at “two or three important instances” and famous that execution and training are accountable.
“It is a lack of focus,” he mentioned, “and a part of that’s teaching, too, so I am going to take my share of the accountability.”
Saturday’s implosion comes simply days after a letter from GM Mike Lombardi to donors was launched publicly, during which Lombardi calls this a “rebuilding” marketing campaign for the Tar Heels and explains intimately a few dearth of expertise on this yr’s workforce resulting from exits from previous recruiting courses.
After the loss to Clemson, Belichick downplayed the branding of a rebuild, however when requested immediately what he is telling recruits concerning the standing of this system, he appeared to acknowledge a long-term strategy.
“We’re sincere with them, sincere that we’re constructing, and if you wish to be part of a program that is being constructed, then we’re right here for you,” Belichick mentioned.
That is not the notion UNC’s gamers appeared to embrace after a 2-3 begin.
Quarterback Max Johnson, who bought his first begin Saturday rather than injured Gio Lopez, mentioned he feels UNC has sufficient expertise, and receiver Jordan Shipp strongly pushed again towards the notion this program was in want of a rebuild.
“I am not right here to rebuild, I am right here to win soccer video games,” Shipp mentioned. “That is why I am right here. No matter they’re doing with the donors, that has nothing to do with me. I am right here to win soccer video games and that is what 100% of my focus is on.”
Belichick mentioned he will not make modifications in personnel primarily based on a long-term imaginative and prescient of this system, regardless of the poor outcomes early on.
“The fellows who should play are going to play,” he mentioned. “I am not going to base it on how outdated they’re or no matter. Guys that play the very best should play. We’ll see how that goes. My expectations are to return in and have a superb week this week and prepare for Cal.”
