Jonathan Powell Breaks Out, UNC Football Coaching Shakeup, Seth Trimble on the Mend

Plus: Women's Basketball lets one slip away, Wrestling off to dominant start, Tar Heels in the NFL, Men's Basketball gives back, Armando Bacot the entrepreneur

Jonathan Powell scored 17 points vs. USC Upstate | Photo: Jeffrey A. Camarati, UNC Athletics

It was a big week for the Tar Heels. Jonathan Powell had a breakout game, Bill Belichick shook up the UNC Football staff, Seth Trimble is on the mend, Women’s Basketball let one slip away, UNC Wrestling is off to dominant start, Men’s Basketball gives back, Armando Bacot closed another deal, and more. On to the updates…

🏈 Football

The UNC Football staff shakeup that many had thought would happen, finally did. Offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer were let go by head coach Bill Belichick on Friday:

“The UNC offense ranked among the worst in the nation in 2025. Among 136 FBS teams, the Tar Heels finished the regular season No. 131 in total offense, No. 121 in scoring offense (19.3), and No. 119 in red zone offense (77.1% scoring rate). Only seven teams scored fewer touchdowns (25) than UNC.”

Now the search begins for the Tar Heels’ next offensive coordinator, and several names are starting to surface as potential candidates. Here are a few:

• Chip Kelly: Former Oregon Ducks head coach, Ohio State offensive coordinator, and Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator

• Andy Kotelnicki: Former Penn State offensive coordinator

• Brian Daboll: Former New York Giants head coach

• Bobby Petrino: Arkansas interim head coach

Former Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly | Photo: Getty Images

Wide receiver Kennedy Uzoma has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2. Inside Carolina has the complete list, which currently stands at 17 players.

In the NFL, Drake Maye rushed for two touchdowns but passed for a season-low 155 yards as the Patriots blew a 24-7 halftime lead in falling to the Bills, 35-31. Other Tar Heel notables from this week in the NFL, courtesy of R.L. Bynum at Tar Heel Tribune, include…

• Javonte Williams ran for 91 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 34-29 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

• Omarion Hampton rushed for 61 yards in the Chargers’ 16-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

• Josh Downs caught an 8-yard TD pass from 44-year old, recently un-retired QB Philip Rivers in the Colts’ 18-16 loss to the Seahawks.

🏀 Basketball

The box score says that the Tar Heels beat USC Upstate by 18 points on Saturday, outscoring the Spartans by 9 in each half, but it sure didn’t feel that way to Hubert Davis, the players, or UNC basketball fans. As Caleb Wilson pointed out postgame:

“Our preparation in practice the couple of days before wasn’t as good as it should’ve been. As a team, we’ve just got to approach it stronger, better, just have more energy and enthusiasm, no matter who we play.”