Bill Belichick has named his first North Carolina starting quarterback.
Belichick announced Wednesday that South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez will get the start for his UNC (and collegiate) coaching debut vs. TCU.
“Gio has made a ton of progress,” Belichick said. “We’ve evaluated things through training camp, and now as we get ready for TCU, he’ll be our starting quarterback.”
Lopez, a redshirt sophomore, is coming off his first season as a collegiate starter. Last season, he led the Jaguars to a 7-6 record and the program’s third straight bowl appearance, completing 66 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns and running for 465 yards and seven scores.
He beat out incumbent Max Johnson for the job. Johnson entered 2024 as UNC’s starter but broke his femur in last year’s season opener at Minnesota.
“(Belichick) just kind of told me I’ve looked good during fall camp and told me that I’m going to get the reins of the offense,” Lopez said. “I’m just thankful for the opportunity. Talking to my dad, (I was) like, ‘I’m going to be Coach Belichick’s first starting quarterback in college.'”
Belichick’s much-anticipated UNC coaching debut will cap off this five-day Week 1 marathon of college football Monday night in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
