Bill Belichick’s first UNC season called historic by cheerleader as Tar Heels football revamps traditions

Bill Belichick is starting his first season as head coach of the University of North Carolina football team, and the excitement is already visible in Chapel Hill. Ahead of the 2025–2026 season, UNC cheerleader Kayla Engler says the program is going through big changes to welcome the legendary coach.

From new pregame traditions to prime-time games, Engler believes this season will be “historic” for both the players and the fans.

Kayla Engler on Bill Belichick’s First Season at UNC

Speaking with PEOPLE ahead of UNC’s opening game on September 1, 2025, against Texas Christian University at Kenan Memorial Stadium, Kayla Engler shared how Belichick’s arrival has changed the atmosphere on campus.“They’re completely revamping what football’s gonna look like,” Engler, 21, explained.

She noted changes like where players make their entrance, the launch of the Chapel Thrill Concert Series featuring country singer and UNC alum Chase Rice, and the return of the Old Well Walk, a tradition where players walk from the campus landmark to the stadium before kickoff.Engler also pointed out that even the schedule is different. Some games will appear in the Monday Night Football slot, which she called “historic” for the Tar Heels.

“Big changes are already happening, and I can’t even imagine what’s coming next,” she said.

She still remembers the buzz when Belichick was first introduced at the Dean Smith Center in December 2024. “The energy was electric,” she recalled. “When he walked out to the middle of the court, it felt like the whole place exploded. My team was jumping up and down like popcorn.”

Cheerleader Kayla Engler Balances Cheer, Studies, and Social Media

As a senior business administration major, Engler also serves as co-captain of the cheerleading team and has built a following of more than 19,000 on social media.

Her role goes beyond performing at games, she helps manage the squad’s online presence, organizes partnerships with brands, and even pushed for the team to join TikTok.Also Read: Jaylen Warren signs two year extension with Pittsburgh Steelers as Najee Harris loses lead role for 2026 season“Our coaches say they’ve never seen anything like this season in over 20 years,” Engler explained. With UNC expecting packed stadiums this fall, she said the cheer squad is preparing harder than ever. “Last season wasn’t the best. People were leaving early from games, and that energy is tough. But this season, I know the crowd will be buzzing, and that’s going to push us to give even more.”Between cheerleading, classes, and content creation, Engler admits it’s not always easy. Still, she believes she’s part of a special moment in UNC history. “It’s a whole new ballpark,” she said. “I feel like I’m getting to be a small part of something huge at UNC.”