What began as a rumour which many believed to be an attempt to gain leverage in Bill Belichick’s ongoing search for another NFL head coaching job is now on the cusp of becoming reality. One of the most shocking developments in college football coaching history is a board of trustees vote away from becoming official as the 6 time Super Bowl winning coach prepares to join the Tar Heels football program.
Belichick has been involved in the NFL as either a head coach, coordinator or assistant from 1975 to 2023, but now appears to be joining the college ranks in 2025. The Tar Heels, long known as a collegiate basketball powerhouse, haven’t had much success on the gridiron in recent years. Their 6-6 record in 2024 put them a distant 13th place in the ACC this past season. The school hasn’t won an ACC title in 34 years, and have won only 1 bowl game since 2014.
The Belichick clan however aren’t strangers to Chapel Hill, as Bill’s father Steve served as an assistant coach for the university between 1953-1955. The 72 year old will take over a program which was under its second stint with head coach Mack Brown, who was relieved of his duties following the 2024 campaign.
“This is an exciting day for Carolina football and our University,” said chancellor Lee H. Roberts. “Carolina is committed to excellence and to creating an opportunity to succeed in everything we do, from the classroom to the field of competition. I know after speaking with Coach Belichick that he shares that commitment. His legacy speaks for itself, and we look forward to working together on the next chapter of Carolina football.”
The 3x NFL Coach of the Year winner was reserved in his comments, something that the Tar Heel faithful will need to get acclimated to given Belichick’s penchant for short, gruff media interactions. “I am excited for the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill,” the legendary coach said via a statement. “I grew up around college football with my Dad and treasured those times. I have always wanted to coach in college and now I look forward to building the football program in Chapel Hill.”
The deal is believed to be a 5 year contract to pry the former NFL sideline boss away from the professional ranks. Former NFL executive Mike Lombardi has reportedly been brought on board to act as GM of the Tar Heels program as well.
The goal of the school and Belichick alike is to create “a pipeline to the NFL for the players that had the ability to play in the NFL,” Belichick said. “It would be a professional program: training, nutrition, scheme, coaching and techniques that would transfer to the NFL.”
As such, boosters have been feverishly pumping NIL money into the program, with reports that their budget has swelled from $5M to $20M in the wake of the Belichick hiring.
Photo: Brian J. McDermott. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.