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In a historic move for college football, six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick has agreed to become the next head coach of the University of North Carolina football team. The Tar Heels announced the deal Wednesday night, pending approval by the school’s board of trustees, which has scheduled an emergency meeting for Thursday.
Belichick, 72, steps into his first college coaching role after an NFL career spanning nearly five decades, including a legendary run with the New England Patriots. This move also carries a sentimental connection—his father, Steve Belichick, served as an assistant coach for the Tar Heels from 1953 to 1955.
“I grew up around college football with my dad and treasured those times,” Belichick said in a statement. “I have always wanted to coach in college, and now I look forward to building the football program in Chapel Hill.”
A Bold New Direction for UNC
North Carolina hasn’t claimed an ACC football title since 1980, but Belichick’s hiring signals a bold shift. The decision was driven by board chair John P. Preyer, who reportedly held multiple meetings with Belichick, including a five-hour session on Sunday. The two sides finalized the deal Wednesday, bringing an unprecedented level of prestige to a program that recently parted ways with Mack Brown.
“Bill Belichick is a football legend and hiring him to lead our program represents a new approach that will ensure Carolina Football can evolve, compete and win — today and in the future,” said UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “At Carolina, we believe in providing championship opportunities and the best experience possible for our student-athletes, and Coach Belichick shares that commitment.”
Michael Lombardi, a former NFL executive and assistant under Belichick with the Patriots, will serve as the Tar Heels’ general manager.
Belichick’s NFL Legacy
Belichick’s NFL résumé is unmatched, with six Super Bowl titles as a head coach (a league record) and two more as an assistant with the New York Giants. His 333 career wins rank second in NFL history, trailing only Don Shula‘s 347. After his split with the Patriots following the 2023 season, Belichick spent a year exploring media roles and scouting potential coaching opportunities.
While many expected Belichick to return to the NFL, sources indicated he felt compelled by the challenge of coaching in college, where his experience building relationships with coaches through the NFL Draft and visiting programs like Washington, Rutgers, and LSU would be invaluable.
Preparing for a New Era
Belichick has reportedly immersed himself in understanding college football’s evolving landscape, including the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this week, Belichick hinted at his vision for a college program.
“If I was in a college program, the college program would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players that had the ability to play in the NFL,” he said. “It would be a professional program: training, nutrition, scheme, coaching and techniques that would transfer to the NFL.”
Belichick has also leaned on his network of former assistants and college coaches, including his son Stephen, currently the defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies, who likely plans to play a role on Belichick’s staff at UNC.
Coaching Search and Expectations
North Carolina parted ways with Mack Brown after a 6-6 season and a six-year record of 44-33 in his second stint with the program. Brown’s departure marked the end of an era defined by his personable Southern charm, making way for Belichick’s no-nonsense style.
If talks with Belichick had fallen through, UNC reportedly considered Cleveland Browns assistant Tommy Rees as the top alternative, along with other candidates like Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
With Belichick now at the helm, the Tar Heels are poised for a dramatic transformation. His NFL experience, combined with a clear vision for integrating professional-level preparation into the college game, offers hope for a program that has long struggled to compete at the highest level.
The Bill Belichick era at North Carolina will begin in 2025, bringing both sky-high expectations and unparalleled excitement to Chapel Hill.
This report used information from ESPN.
