Ex-UNC quarterback describes program as feeling 'like there's no air'

Former North Carolina backmost Gio Lopez had captious words for nan Bill Belichick-run programme successful a caller question and reply aft he transferred from nan Tar Heels to Wake Forest.

Lopez transferred to North Carolina earlier nan 2025 play from South Alabama. He played successful 11 games for nan Tar Heels and had 1,747 passing yards and 10 touchdown passes. North Carolina was 4-8 successful Belichick’s first play astatine nan helm.

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North Carolina Tar Heels backmost Gio Lopez celebrates aft scoring a touchdown during nan first half against nan Duke Blue Devils astatine Kenan Stadium successful Chapel Hill, N.C., connected Nov. 22, 2025. (William Howard/Imagn Images)

The erstwhile Tar Heels backmost has been captious of his clip successful North Carolina, and said retired again successful an question and reply pinch ESPN precocious past month.

"Back astatine nan different school, it felt for illustration there's nary air," he told nan outlet. "Here, it's nosy again. They're moving america successful nan correct direction, energized, and guys are enjoying football. It's for illustration caller air. I'd ne'er had to respond to reliable situations for illustration that connected that large of a scale."

Belichick spent 24 seasons arsenic nan caput coach of nan NFL’s New England Patriots and guided nan squad to six Super Bowl titles. After leaving nan Patriots, Belichick took nan Tar Heels’ occupation and brought his NFL acquisition and professionalism to North Carolina.

Lopez said being astatine North Carolina felt "more for illustration work."

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North Carolina Tar Heels backmost Gio Lopez looks to walk during nan 2nd 4th astatine Kenan Stadium successful Chapel Hill, N.C., connected Nov. 8, 2025. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)

"After that first game, it felt for illustration getting done nan day. You don't want to unrecorded for illustration that, wherever you're up astatine nighttime reasoning astir nan adjacent day," he said.

Barney Lopez, Gio’s father, besides criticized nan measurement nan programme was run.

"The business location -- I'm not a Super Bowl champion, truthful I don't know, but I don't deliberation it was handled successful nan champion measurement for assemblage football, for students and players," he told ESPN. "It group my boy backwards."

Lopez is now connected nan Wake Forest Demon Deacons. He and redshirt freshman Steele Pizzella are listed connected nan extent chart.

The Jake Dickert-led programme was 9-4 successful 2025 and won nan Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Rob Ezell is nan team’s violative coordinator.

Wake Forest will unfastened nan play connected Sept. 3 against nan Akron Zips.

Head coach Bill Belichick of nan North Carolina Tar Heels watches nan crippled against nan California Golden Bears astatine California Memorial Stadium successful Berkeley, Calif., connected Oct. 17, 2025. (Thien-An Truong/Getty Images)

North Carolina’s wide head Mike Lomdardi defended Belichick from detractors successful March.

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"All during those stormy times, each during erstwhile nan vessel was getting capsized, erstwhile group were attacking america pinch clone rumors and clone stories each complete — nobody’s corrected them yet, but that’s OK, we understand — our players hung together," Lombardi told the "Pat McAfee Show" last month.