Belichick Coaches First Base for Savannah Bananas During UNC Visit

The legendary NFL coach took a break from Tar Heels spring practice to work with the popular exhibition baseball team.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the silhouettes of baseball players in action, with Belichick's distinctive hoodie and cap visible among the sharp, overlapping geometric shapes that make up the scene.Belichick's surprise appearance with the Savannah Bananas brought a jolt of energy and competitive spirit to the exhibition baseball game at UNC.Wake Forest Today

Bill Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels football team, took a break from spring practice to coach first base for the Savannah Bananas exhibition baseball team during their game at UNC's Kenan Stadium. Belichick even successfully used a coach's challenge to overturn a double play call, helping the Bananas win 6-5 over the Texas Tailgaters.

Why it matters

Belichick's appearance with the Savannah Bananas, a popular barnstorming baseball team known for their entertaining brand of baseball, generated significant buzz and highlighted the coach's lighter side as he enters his second season leading the struggling Tar Heels football program.

The details

During the Bananas' game at UNC's Kenan Stadium, Belichick donned the team's signature yellow and black uniform and enthusiastically coached first base, even using a coach's challenge to overturn a double play call that helped the Bananas secure a 6-5 victory over the Texas Tailgaters. The appearance was a break from Belichick's normal intense demeanor as he works to rebuild the Tar Heels football program after a disappointing 4-8 season in 2025.

  • On Saturday, April 11, 2026, Belichick took a break from Tar Heels spring practice to coach first base for the Savannah Bananas.
  • The Savannah Bananas took on the Texas Tailgaters in the first of a two-game series at UNC's Kenan Stadium.

The players

Bill Belichick

The six-time Super Bowl champion head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels football team, who is in his second season leading the program after a disappointing 4-8 finish in 2025.

Savannah Bananas

A popular barnstorming exhibition baseball team known for their entertaining brand of baseball.

Texas Tailgaters

The opposing team that played against the Savannah Bananas at UNC's Kenan Stadium.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Let's hear it for Coach Bill Belichick,'”

— Jesse Cole, Savannah Bananas founder and emcee

What’s next

Belichick will continue to lead the North Carolina Tar Heels football team as they prepare for their season opener on August 29 against the TCU Horned Frogs in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland.

The takeaway

Belichick's appearance with the Savannah Bananas showcased the legendary coach's lighter side and provided a welcome break from the intense focus on rebuilding the struggling Tar Heels football program. The successful coach's challenge and Bananas' victory highlighted Belichick's competitive spirit, even in an exhibition setting.