The North Carolina football program got a burst of energy in December of 2024 after Bill Belichick, of all people, was hired as the team’s new head coach. After the initial shock wore off, the feelings about the former New England Patriots coach have been less than favorable.
That seems to be a growing sentiment heading now into Belichick’s second season in Chapel Hill.
As the Tar Heels’ spring game approaches sometime in April, one of the program’s all-time leading passers has recently stated he won’t be attending.
Former UNC QB Marquise Williams Posts Cryptic Message
Taking to social media, former UNC quarterback Marquise Williams made a rather cryptic post while saying he wouldn’t be attending when the Tar Heels take the field for the annual spring game.
“I will not be attending any UNC football games this year!” Williams posted on X followed by a broken heart emoji. “The things I’m hearing man I would have never thought.”
Williams didn’t further elaborate on exactly what he had been hearing, keeping things very vague. Nevertheless, that’s enough to start speculation about what exactly is going on with the program in the second year of Belichick’s tenure.
If this is indeed about Belichick, this wouldn’t be the first time his actions have rubbed people the wrong way. Throughout nearly his entire career, whether in the NFL or now in college football, the 74-year-old has had a particular way of doing things, and that hasn’t always sat well with players, coaches or owners.
Not only that, but the drama-filled situation involving his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordan Hudson, continues to make headlines.
That started with their disastrous CBS interview, which Belichick later had to do damage control over. Her role, whether in Belichick’s personal or professional life — and particularly within UNC — continues to catch speculation and criticism.
Again, it’s unclear if that has anything to do with what Williams is alluding to, but it’s always at the forefront of speculation whenever Belichick is involved.
Whatever the case may be, Belichick needs to improve upon his ugly first season with the Tar Heels after finishing 4-8. Their 2026 season will begin in Dublin, Ireland against TCU.
Marquise Williams Was One of UNC’s Most Productive QBs
Williams spent four years at UNC, appearing in 47 games and becoming a two-time second-team All-ACC quarterback. He threw for 7,970 yards, 61 touchdowns and 25 interceptions while rushing for 2,453 yards and 35 more scores, not to mention three receiving touchdowns.
At UNC, Williams ranks sixth all-time in passing yards and fifth in passing touchdowns and completions.
He unfortunately didn’t have much of an NFL career. Williams signed with the Green Bay Packers in May of 2016 but was cut during the team’s final roster cuts.
He has since had brief stints playing for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, the AAF’s San Antonio Commanders and the XFL’s New York Guardians.
In February of 2021, Williams launched a new career as a Twitch streamer, where he can often be seen playing games like Madden NFL.
UNC Legend Drops Cryptic Message About Bill Belichick, Makes Spring Game Decision