Bill Belichick

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Bill Belichick denied reports that he’s been seeking an exit strategy from his North Carolina coaching role.

“Some of the reports out last week about my looking for a buyout and trying to leave here and all that is categorically false,” Belichick said Monday during his first public comments since a blowout loss to Clemson. “Glad I’m here. Working toward our goals and the process.”

Next up for the Tar Heels (2-3, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) is Friday night’s game at California (4-2, 1-1).

During the second of two off weeks in a three-week span, the subject of Belichick’s status and future with the Tar Heels was a hot topic, so much so that last Wednesday the university released brief statements from the coach and athletics director Bubba Cunningham reaffirming commitments between Belichick and the school.

“It’s a learning curve,” Belichick said Monday. “We’re all in it together, but we’re making a lot of progress.”

On Monday, there was double the media turnout compared to Belichick’s normal game-week availability. University chancellor Lee Roberts also attended along with high-ranking officials in the athletics department.

ND loses center

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 13 Notre Dame lost starting center Ashton Craig for the rest of this season because of a knee injury, coach Marcus Freeman announced Monday as the team prepares for its annual rivalry with Southern California.

Craig suffered the injury during a 36-7 victory over N.C. State last weekend. Notre Dame (4-2) has won four straight, and Craig started each of those six games.

“Your thoughts go to the young man who worked so hard to get back from last year, to get himself back into the position he was in this year,” Freeman said. “He was playing extremely well for us, and just unfortunate for him. He’s in great spirits to get healed up and look forward to returning next year. He’ll be ready to go, he has the right mindset.”

The Fighting Irish face the 20th-ranked Trojans (5-1) on Saturday in the second-to-last game in the series under the current contract between the schools.

Panthers honored

PITTSBURGH — Three Pitt Panthers — quarterback Mason Heintschel, running back Desmond Reid and linebacker Kyle Louis — were honored by the ACC this week for their performances in Pitt’s 34-31 upset win at No. 25 Florida State.

For the second straight week, true freshman Mason Heintschel earned an ACC weekly accolade, this time as ACC Quarterback of the Week. Desmond Reid collected ACC Receiver of the Week after tying career highs in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, while Kyle Louis earned ACC Linebacker of the Week for the second time this season.

Elsewhere:

– Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton is considered day-to-day for the seventh-ranked Red Raiders after coming out of a game for the third time this season, the second because of hurting his right leg while getting sacked.