Brian Murphy
@murphsturph.bsky.social
Sports investigative reporter @WRAL in Raleigh.
Thought Bill Belichick was particularly insightful last night on some of his team-building philosophies and reasons for why the Tar Heels struggled early and have gotten better. www.wral.com/sports/north...
Analysis: At insightful best, Belichick goes deep on Tar Heels' improvement, team-building methods
North Carolina won its second consecutive ACC game Saturday against Stanford, and head coach Bill Belichick detailed some of the reasons for UNC's improved play.
www.wral.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Thought Bill Belichick was particularly insightful last night on some of his team-building philosophies and reasons for why the Tar Heels struggled early and have gotten better. www.wral.com/sports/north...
Here at NC State for the beginning of the Will Wade era. "The reckoning" as NC State calls it. Short thread on some of @wral.bsky.social content since Wade's hiring. #redreckoning
November 3, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Here at NC State for the beginning of the Will Wade era. "The reckoning" as NC State calls it. Short thread on some of @wral.bsky.social content since Wade's hiring. #redreckoning
NC State's Dave Doeren dismissed retirement talk yesterday, reminding everyone that he has four years left on his contract. Could lead to a sticky situation if Wolfpack leadership thinks it's time for a change. Doeren would be owed $12.5M buyout after this season.
www.wral.com/sports/nc-st...
www.wral.com/sports/nc-st...
Doeren on retirement talk: 'I'm gonna keep coaching. I got four years left on my contract'
NC State football coach Dave Doeren is in his 13th season in Raleigh. Doeren is the program's leader in all-time victories, but has faced questions about his future during the Wolfpack's 4-4 season.
www.wral.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:22 PM
NC State's Dave Doeren dismissed retirement talk yesterday, reminding everyone that he has four years left on his contract. Could lead to a sticky situation if Wolfpack leadership thinks it's time for a change. Doeren would be owed $12.5M buyout after this season.
www.wral.com/sports/nc-st...
www.wral.com/sports/nc-st...
Bill Belichick and his North Carolina team are still searching for their first ACC win (and first win over a P4 team). Syracuse's defense may be just the boost the struggling UNC offense has been looking for. www.wralsportsfan.com/belichick-ta...
Belichick, Tar Heels visit Syracuse seeking first ACC win and fewer offensive miscues :: WRALSportsFan.com
Turnovers, particularly near the end zone, have hampered North Carolina this season. The Tar Heels have lost four straight entering Friday's game at Syracuse.
www.wralsportsfan.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Bill Belichick and his North Carolina team are still searching for their first ACC win (and first win over a P4 team). Syracuse's defense may be just the boost the struggling UNC offense has been looking for. www.wralsportsfan.com/belichick-ta...
Pat Welter and I broke down the Virginia-UNC game, where the Tar Heels are making progress and where they go from here.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9XX...
Apple podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9XX...
Apple podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...
Rapid reaction to UNC's 17-16 OT loss to Virginia
YouTube video by WRAL
www.youtube.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Pat Welter and I broke down the Virginia-UNC game, where the Tar Heels are making progress and where they go from here.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9XX...
Apple podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9XX...
Apple podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...
Really good breakdown from former UNC QB Bryn Renner
on UNC's failed 2-point play at the end of game vs. Virginia, including why Renner thinks UNC should have called timeout.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNGn...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
on UNC's failed 2-point play at the end of game vs. Virginia, including why Renner thinks UNC should have called timeout.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNGn...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Breaking down UNC's unsuccessful two-point play vs. Virginia with former QB Bryn Renner
YouTube video by WRAL
www.youtube.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Really good breakdown from former UNC QB Bryn Renner
on UNC's failed 2-point play at the end of game vs. Virginia, including why Renner thinks UNC should have called timeout.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNGn...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
on UNC's failed 2-point play at the end of game vs. Virginia, including why Renner thinks UNC should have called timeout.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNGn...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
His team has lost four of five games (and the lone win was vs. Campbell), but NC State coach Dave Doeren isn't ready to throw in the towel. Asked Doeren if he's under any pressure given spate of firings across college football:
www.wral.com/sports/nc-st...
www.wral.com/sports/nc-st...
NC State’s Dave Doeren vows to ‘fight’ for players, program amid losing streak
NC State has lost four of its last five games and faces No. 8 Georgia Tech on Saturday at home. Dave Doeren is in his 13th season as NC State’s head coach.
www.wral.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:57 PM
His team has lost four of five games (and the lone win was vs. Campbell), but NC State coach Dave Doeren isn't ready to throw in the towel. Asked Doeren if he's under any pressure given spate of firings across college football:
www.wral.com/sports/nc-st...
www.wral.com/sports/nc-st...
A Saudi investment in UNC? Football GM Michael Lombardi went on a fundraising visit to Saudi Arabia before the season.
www.wral.com/sports/north...
www.wral.com/sports/north...
Saudi Arabia hosted UNC’s Lombardi on preseason fundraising trip
North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi visited Saudi Arabia in the preseason. His visit was paid for by the hosts, UNC said.
www.wral.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:22 PM
A Saudi investment in UNC? Football GM Michael Lombardi went on a fundraising visit to Saudi Arabia before the season.
www.wral.com/sports/north...
www.wral.com/sports/north...
Winning cures (almost) everything. Can Belichick and UNC get a victory Friday night at Cal. UNC coaches keep saying the team is making progress, but it's not showing up on the scoreboard.
www.wral.com/sports/north...
www.wral.com/sports/north...
Belichick says UNC is making progress. Struggling Tar Heels have chance to show it Friday.
North Carolina and first-year head coach Bill Belichick are 0-3 against Power 4 conference teams and haven’t been competitive in any of the games.
www.wral.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Winning cures (almost) everything. Can Belichick and UNC get a victory Friday night at Cal. UNC coaches keep saying the team is making progress, but it's not showing up on the scoreboard.
www.wral.com/sports/north...
www.wral.com/sports/north...
UNC ranks 102nd in yards allowed per play; 100th in points allowed per game, 97th in yards allowed per game. And that's with Charlotte/Richmond included.
Asked UNC DC Steve Belichick if he'd still be calling plays, still be on the field, etc.: "Yes."
Asked UNC DC Steve Belichick if he'd still be calling plays, still be on the field, etc.: "Yes."
October 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
UNC ranks 102nd in yards allowed per play; 100th in points allowed per game, 97th in yards allowed per game. And that's with Charlotte/Richmond included.
Asked UNC DC Steve Belichick if he'd still be calling plays, still be on the field, etc.: "Yes."
Asked UNC DC Steve Belichick if he'd still be calling plays, still be on the field, etc.: "Yes."
UNC ranks No. 131 in total offense. Kitchens on changing who calls plays: "That's never been brought up, never been discussed."
October 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
UNC ranks No. 131 in total offense. Kitchens on changing who calls plays: "That's never been brought up, never been discussed."
Takeaway from UNC DC Steve Belichick and OC Freddie Kitchens press conferences: No major changes coming as far as play-calling duties, staff assignments, etc., for the 2-3 Tar Heels (who have been outscored 120-33 vs. P4 opponents).
October 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Takeaway from UNC DC Steve Belichick and OC Freddie Kitchens press conferences: No major changes coming as far as play-calling duties, staff assignments, etc., for the 2-3 Tar Heels (who have been outscored 120-33 vs. P4 opponents).
Wild story here about how North Carolina's House speaker ended up inserting Duke's QB into a fight over children's hospital in the state.
www.wral.com/news/local/n...
www.wral.com/news/local/n...
Why a Duke quarterback’s salary is now part of the debate over a new NC children’s hospital
North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall referenced Duke quarterback Darian Mensah in comments about why the state shouldn’t be paying for a new, standalone state children’s hospital.
www.wral.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Wild story here about how North Carolina's House speaker ended up inserting Duke's QB into a fight over children's hospital in the state.
www.wral.com/news/local/n...
www.wral.com/news/local/n...
UNC leadership is preaching patience after the football program's slow start under Belichick. But Belichick is 73 and quick turnarounds are definitely a thing in college football.
www.wral.com/sports/north...
www.wral.com/sports/north...
‘Patience is required’: Chancellor, chairman not panicking about UNC's slow start under Belichick
NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick is 2-2 in his first season at North Carolina. Both losses were blowout defeats against teams from the Big 12. UNC hosts perennial ACC power Clemson on Oct. 4.
www.wral.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:17 PM
UNC leadership is preaching patience after the football program's slow start under Belichick. But Belichick is 73 and quick turnarounds are definitely a thing in college football.
www.wral.com/sports/north...
www.wral.com/sports/north...
Lawsuit accuses UNC board of violating state’s open record laws, including during Belichick hire www.wral.com/news/educati...
Lawsuit accuses UNC trustees of violating state’s open record laws, including during Belichick hire
A former provost at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill filed the lawsuit Monday against the university’s Board of Trustees.
www.wral.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Lawsuit accuses UNC board of violating state’s open record laws, including during Belichick hire www.wral.com/news/educati...
ACC moving to nine conference games for football and 10 P4 opponents overall (pending final approval, which seems like a formality at this point). Some teams will play 9 in '26, while others will stay at 8. In '27, all but one will play 9 while 1 plays 8. www.wral.com/sports/sport...
ACC moves to play 9 conference football games each year, like other power leagues
The league, like the SEC, currently plays eight conference games. But the SEC is moving to nine games next season, joining the Big 12 and Big Ten.
www.wral.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
ACC moving to nine conference games for football and 10 P4 opponents overall (pending final approval, which seems like a formality at this point). Some teams will play 9 in '26, while others will stay at 8. In '27, all but one will play 9 while 1 plays 8. www.wral.com/sports/sport...
Speaking of lawmakers, the NC Senate approved $35M for Lenovo Center development infrastructure. The House could consider the bill today. It's part of a larger funding package that includes $65M for disaster funding related to Chantal. #ncpol
www.wral.com/story/nc-law...
www.wral.com/story/nc-law...
NC Senate approves $35 million for infrastructure related to Lenovo Center development
Development around Raleigh's Lenovo Center is set to begin after the NC State home football season ends in December. The first phase of the development includes new parking structures, a new music ven...
www.wral.com
September 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Speaking of lawmakers, the NC Senate approved $35M for Lenovo Center development infrastructure. The House could consider the bill today. It's part of a larger funding package that includes $65M for disaster funding related to Chantal. #ncpol
www.wral.com/story/nc-law...
www.wral.com/story/nc-law...
Lawmakers are back in Raleigh, debating and passing several budget measures. Will they give UNC and NC State sports betting money, as they've previously said. www.wral.com/sports/unc-n... #ncpol
UNC, NC State set to collect share of sports betting tax revenue, but just how much is in dispute
The House budget proposal released Thursday would give the Tar Heels and Wolfpack a much smaller amount of money than the Senate-passed budget.
www.wral.com
September 23, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Lawmakers are back in Raleigh, debating and passing several budget measures. Will they give UNC and NC State sports betting money, as they've previously said. www.wral.com/sports/unc-n... #ncpol
Talked with local college football coaches about how they try to manage the stress/health issues associated with the job. Good stuff from Belichick, Doeren and Diaz.
www.wral.com/sports/colle...
www.wral.com/sports/colle...
Daytime breaks, routines and good sleep: How Belichick, Doeren, Diaz try to handle stress of the job
Find out how Duke’s Manny Diaz, North Carolina’s Bill Belichick and NC State’s Dave Doeren try to stay at their best during the long, difficult grind of a football season.
www.wral.com
September 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Talked with local college football coaches about how they try to manage the stress/health issues associated with the job. Good stuff from Belichick, Doeren and Diaz.
www.wral.com/sports/colle...
www.wral.com/sports/colle...
Source tells me: Some ACC teams will play 9 league games next year, while multiple others will play 8 due to already scheduled games. All will play at least 10 P4 games.
In 2027, 16 will play 9 league games, 1 will play 8 league games. All will play at least 10 P4 games.
In 2027, 16 will play 9 league games, 1 will play 8 league games. All will play at least 10 P4 games.
September 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Source tells me: Some ACC teams will play 9 league games next year, while multiple others will play 8 due to already scheduled games. All will play at least 10 P4 games.
In 2027, 16 will play 9 league games, 1 will play 8 league games. All will play at least 10 P4 games.
In 2027, 16 will play 9 league games, 1 will play 8 league games. All will play at least 10 P4 games.
NC Senate is taking up budget bill to fund Chantal relief/other stuff, including $35M for Lenovo Center, today. But bill might be derailed by House-Senate fights. Background on arena infrastructure money: www.wral.com/story/nc-law...
NC lawmakers weigh multimillion-dollar investment in sports arena infrastructure
Development around Raleigh's Lenovo Center is set to begin after the NC State home football season ends in December. The first phase of the development includes new parking structures, a new music ven...
www.wral.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:02 PM
NC Senate is taking up budget bill to fund Chantal relief/other stuff, including $35M for Lenovo Center, today. But bill might be derailed by House-Senate fights. Background on arena infrastructure money: www.wral.com/story/nc-law...
"Go put a good team together, invest, play good competition, play good nonconference games, draw attention." On the league's new revenue math and a projection for what teams earned in the first year of the success initiative from about $8 million to $0.
www.wral.com/sports/colle...
www.wral.com/sports/colle...
New revenue equation for ACC schools: More wins + more viewers = more money
After decades of equal revenue distribution, the ACC will give schools that have more success and drive more television viewership a greater share of the league’s money.
www.wral.com
August 17, 2025 at 8:58 AM
"Go put a good team together, invest, play good competition, play good nonconference games, draw attention." On the league's new revenue math and a projection for what teams earned in the first year of the success initiative from about $8 million to $0.
www.wral.com/sports/colle...
www.wral.com/sports/colle...
How did North Carolina decide how to distribute its $20.5 million revenue-sharing budget among four programs? AD Bubba Cunningham gives a pretty detailed explanation. And how much is the women's basketball payroll this year?
www.wral.com/sports/unc-r...
www.wral.com/sports/unc-r...
Cunningham shares why UNC leans more toward men’s basketball in revenue distribution
North Carolina shared $7 million with men's basketball, a much larger percentage than other schools have put towards the sport. Athletics director Bubba Cunningham said the revenue sharing was consist...
www.wral.com
August 15, 2025 at 3:44 PM
How did North Carolina decide how to distribute its $20.5 million revenue-sharing budget among four programs? AD Bubba Cunningham gives a pretty detailed explanation. And how much is the women's basketball payroll this year?
www.wral.com/sports/unc-r...
www.wral.com/sports/unc-r...
Max Johnson needed five surgeries, weeks of bedrest -- including help changing his clothes -- and months of rehab to recover from a broken femur suffered in last year's opener. At one point, he thought he might lose his leg. Now the UNC QB is fighting for a starting job. www.wral.com/sports/unc-m...
QB Max Johnson almost lost his leg due to injury. Now he’s battling to be UNC’s starter.
North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the 2024 season. After months of rehab, Johnson is back practicing with the Tar Heels.
www.wral.com
August 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Max Johnson needed five surgeries, weeks of bedrest -- including help changing his clothes -- and months of rehab to recover from a broken femur suffered in last year's opener. At one point, he thought he might lose his leg. Now the UNC QB is fighting for a starting job. www.wral.com/sports/unc-m...
A lot of coaches make vague comments about tampering. Rare that a coach names names, but check this out from NC Central football coach Trei Oliver. www.wral.com/sports/nc-ce...
NC Central football coach accuses ACC school of tampering with player on sideline
NC Central’s Trei Oliver said a Virginia Tech staff member tried to recruit a star running back before a game last season.
www.wral.com
July 25, 2025 at 9:04 PM
A lot of coaches make vague comments about tampering. Rare that a coach names names, but check this out from NC Central football coach Trei Oliver. www.wral.com/sports/nc-ce...