Bill Belichick’s first game as a college head coach will be on a familiar stage: Monday Night Football. The North Carolina 2025 season opener against TCU will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 1, as announced by the ACC on Thursday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Labor Day Game a Tradition in College Football
The Labor Day prime-time game has become a key part of college football’s opening weekend. Last year, Boston College beat Florida State in this game. Clemson was featured in the Monday night opener in 2022 and 2023.
The Tar Heels will play another game on Sept. 6 at Charlotte. They will also face Richmond and UCF before starting ACC play. The ACC will announce its full conference schedule on Monday.
Bill Belichick’s College Coaching Dream
Belichick, 72, took the Tar Heels job in December after a long career in the NFL. He has said that coaching in college is a “dream come true.”
UNC shared Belichick’s signed contract on Thursday. His salary is $10 million per year, and he could earn a $1.75 million bonus if he wins a national championship. The contract includes performance bonuses, such as $150,000 for an eight-win regular season, $350,000 for 12 regular-season wins, and $200,000 for making it to the ACC championship game.
Other ACC Teams in Week 0 and Week 1
Only one other ACC team, Stanford, plays in Week 0 this season. Stanford will open in Hawaii on Aug. 23.
Full ACC Week 1 Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 28
- East Carolina at NC State
Friday, Aug. 29
- Kennesaw State at Wake Forest
Saturday, Aug. 30
- Fordham at Boston College
- Oregon State at Cal
- LSU at Clemson
- Elon at Duke
- Alabama at Florida State
- Georgia Tech at Colorado
- Eastern Kentucky at Louisville
- Duquesne at Pittsburgh
- East Texas A&M at SMU
- Syracuse vs. Tennessee (in Atlanta)
- Coastal Carolina at Virginia
Sunday, Aug. 31
- Notre Dame at Miami (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
- Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina (in Atlanta)
Monday, Sept. 1
- TCU at North Carolina (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
