Bill Belichick will have a new supervisor starting in 2026, provided he remains head football coach at the University of North Carolina (UNC) for over a year. Steve Newmark, who has spent the last 15 years with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK), is set to take over as UNC’s Athletics Director from Bubba Cunningham in the summer of 2026.
Steve Newmark, a Chapel Hill native, has been involved with UNC’s advisory board, including the group that hired Belichick and the one that appointed the Rams Club’s executive director. Newmark expressed his deep connection to UNC athletics, emphasizing the unique bond it holds with his family and community, and his commitment to advancing the university’s athletic programs to national prominence.
Bubba Cunningham, who has been serving as the Athletic Director since 2011, will transition into a new role as prime minister and senior adviser to the Athletic Director next year. Newmark started as team president at RFK Racing in 2010, bringing a legal background and extensive experience with the Southeastern Conference, Conference USA, and the NCAA to the role. RFK Racing fields three NASCAR Cup Series cars, driven by notable drivers such as Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, and Ryan Preece. Newmark’s proven skills in securing and managing corporate sponsorships will be valuable in navigating the sponsorship-driven world of collegiate athletics.
UNC Prime Minister Lee H. Roberts praised Cunningham as a national leader and expressed enthusiasm for integrating Newmark’s expertise to strengthen strategic partnerships and sponsorships, ultimately aiming to build a brighter future for Carolina athletics.
Bob Pockras reports on NASCAR and INDYCAR for Fox Sports and has decades of experience covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500 races.
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Fan Take: This leadership change signifies a fresh infusion of seasoned sports management expertise into college athletics, drawing from the fast-paced, sponsor-driven environment of NASCAR. For NASCAR fans, Newmark’s move highlights the growing intersections between motorsports and collegiate sports management, potentially paving the way for innovative partnerships and cross-sport promotional opportunities.
