Bill Belichick, renowned for his six Super Bowl victories with the New England Patriots, is exploring coaching opportunities, having recently engaged in discussions regarding the head-coaching position at the University of North Carolina (UNC). After departing from the Patriots following the 2023 season, the 72-year-old Belichick is eager to return to coaching and is open to possibilities both in the college football realm and the NFL.
This comes in the wake of UNC’s decision to part ways with Mack Brown on November 26, after a six-season tenure where the Tar Heels recorded a 44-33 record from 2019 to 2024, culminating in a 6-6 finish this year. Brown, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, was the oldest coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision this past season and will not participate in UNC’s upcoming bowl game. Freddie Kitchens, who has worked as UNC’s run game coordinator and tight ends coach, is currently serving as the interim head coach while the university searches for a replacement.
As the most prominent candidate in the search for UNC’s new head coach, Belichick’s interest has reportedly been reciprocated by the university. Nevertheless, Jon Sumrall of Tulane is also being considered and is scheduled to meet with UNC officials following the Green Wave’s AAC championship game. Other potential candidates include Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, and former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks.
Initially, UNC pursued Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, a UNC alumnus, but he has opted to remain in the NFL instead.
During his time away from coaching, Belichick has made various media appearances, featuring prominently on ESPN’s “ManningCast” during “Monday Night Football” and participating in “The Pat McAfee Show.” He also lends his insights to the “Inside the NFL” crew on the CW Network.
While this would mark Belichick’s first coaching experience at the collegiate level, he has a family connection to college football; his father, Steve, was a longtime assistant at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Overall, Belichick’s potential move to college football could be an exciting chapter in his long and storied coaching career. This shift might not only allow Belichick to impart his extensive knowledge to young athletes but could also elevate the competitive landscape within college football. It’s a situation that will be closely watched as the search for UNC’s new head coach unfolds.