Bill Belichick adds two more coaches, including Mike Priefer

Well, maybe some frayed nerves in North Carolina will be soothed. A little.

Via Pete Thamel of ESPN.com, Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick has hired two more staff membersincluding former NFL special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. He hadn’t worked for Belichick before; He was hired by the Browns in 2019 from North Carolina offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens.

Priefer did not coach in 2023 or 2024.

The hiring comes at a time when many expected former Belichick special teams coordinator Joe Judge to join him at the college level.

Belichick also hired offensive line coach Will Friend. He also has no prior ties to Belichick.

The Tar Heels are up to eight coaching staff members, excluding Belichick. And UNC’s staff does not yet include Judge or Matt Patricia, another longtime Belichick lieutenant.