Bill Belichick (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)
Bill Belichick is now thought to be nearing a return to coaching after leaving the New England Patriots early this year.
According to Inside Carolina, the legendary coach is nearing a deal to take charge of the football program at the University of North Carolina, with the school said to be finalizing his contract approval.
“The NFL legend is regarded among the preeminent coaches in the history of the sport, if not at the top of the all-time greatest list. UNC’s Board of Trustees is working on setting up an emergency meeting to approve Belichick’s contract, according to sources,” the outlet reports.
“Pending approval from UNC’s Board of Trustees, he replaces the fired Mack Brown, who was dismissed 15 days ago by athletics director Bubba Cunningham.”
Belichick has never coached at the college level, and it appears he’s set to tread uncharted territory. But the Tar Heels will immediately become favorites for silverware once he’s hired.
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Bill Belichick Won’t Be Chasing Don Shula Anytime Soon
Cunningham told Inside Carolina the school would look for “creativity and adaptability” as key elements from their next head coach after Brown was fired.
Sources revealed that Belichick, who went to nine Super Bowls as a coach, was interviewed by UNC last week. Follow-up reports noted he was open to taking the job, suggesting it was up to the school to decide whether or not he would become their new head coach.
It does appear that Belichick will indeed be handed the reins.
The 72-year-old is only bested by Don Shula and George Hallas in the wins category and coached the Pats to six Super Bowls. However, his quest to become the NFL’s winningest head coach may be over, or at least on hold, given this development
REPORT: Bill Belichick Has One Significant & Bizarre Request From North Carolina Tar Heels If He Takes Their Head Coaching Job
Bill Belichick (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)The North Carolina Tar Heels reportedly have to honor a significant request from Bill Belichick if he’s to accept their offer to become their next head coach.
North Carolina recently interviewed Bill Belichick for its head coaching vacancy. The team fired legendary head coach Mack Brown last week, and Freddie Kitchens was named the interim head coach for their upcoming bowl game.
If UNC is set on hiring the former Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots HC, however, they’ll have to accept his condition.
According to a report from Ollie Connolly of The Guardian, Bill Belichick is seeking “a guarantee” from the school that his son, Stephen, will succeed him as the Tar Heels’ head coach.
Connolly adds that the school “is open” to agreeing on that request, and that Belichick would look to bring in Josh McDaniels, brother Ben McDaniels and Matt Patricia on his staff. That said, Belichick’s desire is to go back to the NFL, per Connolly.
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Belichick has never coached at the NCAA level. In fact, the 2024 season marks the first NFL campaign without Belichick’s employment since 1974, as he began his career as an assistant with the Baltimore Colts in 1975.
Bill Belichick Should Have Plenty Of Interest From NFL Teams
Surprisingly, the Atlanta Falcons were the only team that interviewed Belichick for their head coach vacancy last season. Belichick was passed over in favor of Raheem Morris, who served as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator for three seasons.
But there shouldn’t be a shortage of teams interested in Belichick this year. The Dallas Cowboys could go big-game hunting if they move on from Mike McCarthy, while the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars (Belichick is friends with team owner Shad Khan) also stand out as logical landing spots.
