Bill Belichick, a ten-time Super Bowl champion and former head coach of the New England Patriots, is reportedly in talks to become the head coach for the University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels. This comes after a year away from football following his departure from the Patriots after the 2023 season. According to ESPN sources, Belichick, now 72 years old, is eager to return to coaching and is open to opportunities at both the college and NFL levels.
The UNC program is looking for a new head coach after firing Mack Brown on November 26. Brown, a College Football Hall of Famer, led the Tar Heels for six seasons and concluded his tenure with a record of 44-33. The team finished the 2024 season at 6-6, and Brown will not be coaching in their upcoming bowl game. Freddie Kitchens, a former head coach of the Cleveland Browns, is serving as the interim coach while UNC looks for a permanent replacement.
Belichick’s name stands out in the search due to his extensive experience and storied career in professional football. While there is mutual interest between Belichick and UNC, other candidates for the position include Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, Georgia’s defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, and former NFL head coach Steve Wilks. Initially, UNC had reached out to former Tar Heels player and current Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, but he chose to stay in the NFL.
During his time off, Belichick has made appearances as a media personality, contributing to programs like ESPN’s “ManningCast” and “The Pat McAfee Show.” He spent 24 successful seasons with the Patriots and was instrumental in leading them to six Super Bowl titles, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.
Belichick, while never having coached at the college level himself, has a family background in football coaching, with his father serving as an assistant at the U.S. Naval Academy. The potential for Belichick to transition to college coaching adds an intriguing chapter to his career, showcasing his continued passion for the sport.
Overall, if Belichick takes on this role, it could revitalize the UNC football program while providing him with a fresh and exciting challenge. It’s a hopeful moment for fans, who may witness a legendary figure once again shaping a football team, this time at the collegiate level.