The North Carolina Tar Heels have confirmed the signing of a multi-sport star who will join Bill Belichick's roster during the upcoming 2025 season.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are making a significant change to their playing surface ahead of the 2025 season. In consultation with new head coach Bill Belichick, Chapel Hill's Kenan Stadium will return to a natural grass field in 2025,

North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick has landed the committment of quarterback Gary Merrill, a two-sport athlete and a five-star recruit in lacrosse who has committed to play both sports for the Tar Heels.

A little more than a month after he was formally unveiled as North Carolina’s new football coach at a news conference, Bill Belichick has put pen to paper and formally signed his contract with the university. Belichick signed the deal Wednesday and the school released it Thursday.

In a press release, North Carolina revealed that Belichick was a big factor in the decision to switch back to a grass field, stating, "The decision to convert back to grass was made in consultation with new [Belichick] — with the best experience for the program in mind."

Among the challenges of rebuilding North Carolina's roster, Belichick faces arguably the tallest task of adjusting to the recruiting trail rather than relying on the NFL draft. In an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Friday, Belichick was asked about his recruiting pitch to recruits as he pieces together his first class with the Tar Heels.

Bill Belichick and school officials have signed his official employment contract, formalizing the hiring after speculation that the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach might opt instead for a return to the NFL.

Bill Belichick made his first major change as head coach of North Carolina. The former New England Patriots coach reportedly had a lot to do with the decision for the field at Kenan Stadium to return to natural grass.

The full ACC schedule was released on Monday night for all 17 schools, and North Carolina football fans now have a complete look at when to expect Bill Belichick on the sidelines throughout the 2025 season.

Five-star Class of 2026 quarterback Jared Curtis hosted North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick for an in-home visit.

North Carolina's Kenan Stadium will be converting its football field back to natural grass for coach Bill Belichick's first season with the program. The decision was made in conjunction with Belichick, according to a university press release .