Former UNC star says he’ll boycott games, hints at program concerns
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North Carolina football is less than two weeks away from summer camp before the start of its second season under seven-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick.
Belichick led the Tar Heels to a 4-8 record in his first season in Chapel Hill, but a series of headlines off the field largely overshadowed the team.
The controversy continued into the offseason and appears to have caused at least one of UNC’s prominent football alumni to opt out of attending games in person when the 2026 season begins this fall.
Marquise Williams, who earned All-ACC honors during his four-year run at UNC, announced his plan to skip games this year.
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Marquise Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels warms up before their game against the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
“I will not be attending any UNC football games this year!” Williams wrote On Thursday, X. “Never thought about the things I heard, man.” She added a broken heart emoji but didn’t explain what exactly was bothering her.
Williams still lives in North Carolina and serves as the quarterbacks coach at Louisburg College. He ranks sixth on UNC’s all-time passing rushing list.
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While Williams’ exact motive remains unclear, much of the talk about the show has focused on 73-year-old Belichick and his girlfriend, 24-year-old Jordon Hudson.
Marquise Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels attempts a pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during a game at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
During last year’s widely discussed “CBS News Sunday Morning” interview, Hudson faced accusations that the former NFL coach tried to assert control during his session. The interview was part of Belichick’s promotional tour for his new book, “The Art of Winning – Lessons from My Football Life.”
The viral moment sparked questions about Hudson’s involvement in both his personal and professional life and whether it would impact football operations.
Head coach Bill Belichick and Jordan Hudson of the North Carolina Tar Heels before their game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Lance King/Getty Images)
North Carolina general manager of football Michael Lombardi addressed the scrutiny and outside criticism surrounding the program last season, defending the team’s response to what he described as inaccurate statements.
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“Through all those stormy times, when the boat was capsizing, when people were attacking us with fake rumors and fake stories – no one’s corrected them yet, but it’s okay, we understand – our players were hanging out together,” Lombardi said. he said. “The Pat McAfee Show” last week.
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