As former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick weighs up his future, he gave insight into his stance on the job at the University of North Carolina that he’s been so heavily linked with.
Last week, it was revealed that the 72-year-old coaching icon was having discussions with the school in Chapel Hill to take over the program after the athletic department fired its former coach Mack Brown following a season that failed to meet expectations.
According to ESPN, talks between the school and the coach are continuing, ‘with some type of resolution either way expected this week.’
ESPN also revealed that Belichick and officials from UNC have met at least once – in New York last week – and that discussions have continued.
Belichick made an appearance on Monday’s episode of ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ and shared his insight into the job and his potential decision – and how it all ties back into how he grew up under his father, Steve.
‘My dad was a college coach. He was at North Carolina for three years, Vanderbilt for a year, and then Navy for 50,’ Belichick said – exaggerating the 34 years that Steve spent at the Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Bill Belichick confirmed on The Pat McAfee Show that he’s talking to UNC over a coaching job
Belichick has never coached at the college level, but grew up in a college football household
He continued: ‘But yeah, it seems like college football is more like pro football. I’ve talked to a lot of college coaches about things like the salary cap and putting value on players and negotiating, mixing all that together.
‘So I think there are some similarities. From what I’ve heard, I haven’t experienced it first-hand, but it feels like that.’
When McAfee asked about his interest in college football and possibly coaching there, Belichick revealed more: ‘As you said, I grew up around college football and some great Navy teams there.
‘I learned a lot and really patterned a lot of my pro teams off of the teams that I grew up around in the ’60s as a kid growing up at the Naval Academy.
‘But yeah, look, as a pro coach, you always go back every year and go to different schools and look at their players and see their programs and learn from those coaches and their situations as well.
‘I’ve had a chance this year to take a longer look at college football during the college season as opposed to in the spring from the draft perspective.
‘And that’s been interesting as well as staying up with pro football. So it’s been a good year for me. I’ve learned a lot.
‘And so I’ve had an opportunity to talk to Chancellor Roberts, and we’ve had a couple of good conversations, so we’ll see how it goes.’
Reports indicate that UNC will be making a decision on offering Belichick the job this week
It’d be a very interesting time for Belichick to make his first entrance into the world of college football, especially in the era of NIL.
Belichick has never once taken a job within college football – with his first job after graduating from Wesleyan University in 1975 coming with the Baltimore Colts. He then went on to take minor coaching roles with the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, and New York Giants.
With the Giants, he was elevated to defensive coordinator and won a Super Bowl under head coach Bill Parcells before he left for his first head coaching gig with the Cleveland Browns.
After getting fired from Cleveland in 1995, he re-joined Parcells with the New England Patriots for one season.
He then jumped ship to the New York Jets for three seasons before returning to Foxborough in 2000 and starting arguably the greatest dynasty in the history of professional sports.
If Belichick doesn’t take the UNC job, there are a number of possible candidates to helm the Tar Heels – with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Army West Point head coach Jeff Monken among the rumored names, according to ESPN.
Previously linked coaches Jon Sumrall of Tulane and Matt Campbell of Iowa State are no longer expected to be a part of the search.
Belichick would come in to replace Mack Brown, who was fired as coach mid-season
After being expected to fight for an ACC title, North Carolina fell to a 6-6 record this season
North Carolina, which was expected to be a contender for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title, fell well short of its goals this season.
After starting the season 3-0, the team fell to 6-6 in the regular season – losing five conference games, including to in-state rivals Duke and North Carolina State.
North Carolina will end its season playing in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts against the 8-4 UConn Huskies on December 28.
Former Cleveland Browns head coach and current UNC tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens will lead the team in its bowl game.
