A UNC running back is retiring from football. What he said about his decision
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- Caleb Hood retired from football, concluding a five-year career at UNC.
- Hood began season as starter, scored first touchdown of Belichick era.
- Retirement comes amid team turmoil and a suspension tied to NCAA extra benefits.
North Carolina senior running back Caleb Hood announced Friday he has “decided to retire from football,” ending a five-year career with the Tar Heels.
“My journey at UNC has been special and I appreciate my time here,” Hood wrote on Instagram. “I am exited to start the next chapter and will always take my memories of Carolina with me. I want to thank Coach (Bill) Belichick, Coach (Freddie) Kitchens and Coach (Natrone) Means for giving me an opportunity, as well as all my other coaches and teammates throughout my years of football for the impact they’ve all had on my life!”
The fifth-year senior from Rockingham began the season as UNC’s starting running back. He scored the first touchdown of the Belichick era: an 8-yard run against TCU to cap the opening drive of the Tar Heels’ 48-14 season-opening loss. Hood totaled 16 carries for 44 yards in five games this fall.
His decision comes during a turbulent stretch for the Tar Heels (2-3), who are navigating questions about the team’s culture. On Thursday evening, UNC announced the suspension of cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins due to violating NCAA rules related to extra benefits.
In a statement posted to UNC Football’s Instagram account on Friday, Belichick praised Hood — one of the holdovers from the Mack Brown era — for his leadership.
“Caleb came to me Wednesday and shared his difficult decision to retire from playing football,” Belichick said in the statement. “I could feel his conviction and the peace with his playing career closing. Caleb is a great person, a leader and an exemplary teammate. He has done everything we have asked him to do as a student-athlete both on and off the field and he has been a model representation of our program.”
This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM.