FOXBOROUGH — Bill Belichick is heading back to college.
The long-time Patriots coach has agreed to become the next head coach at the University of North Carolina, according to multiple reports. After dealing with professional athletes for the past five decades, coaching college students will certainly be a change of pace for the 72-year-old, but Belichick is taking on the new challenge. In the locker room at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, wideout Kendrick Bourne offered a sage bit of advice for the North Carolina players that’ll now be suiting up for Belichick.
- BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
“Stay tough. Have a gritty mindset because it’s not going to be easy, but in the end it’ll be worth it,” Bourne said. “Bill, with school and NIL it’s going to be a different world, but I think he’s going to manage it good. I think Bill is a special person. He has a strong mindset. He knows how to plan things. So I think it’ll be good — but just don’t miss class.”
Bourne has a bit of experience with that last part, as he ended up in Belichick’s doghouse for being late to a meeting during the 2022 season. Still, Bourne believes his old coach is going to be a success at the college level.
“I think he’s going to do good,” Bourne said. “I think Bill does a good job of developing players, developing young men. I think it’ll be a challenge for the young men. He’s a tough coach, which we all know, but I think it’d be good for certain players that have the right mindset.”
Before news of Belichick’s hiring broke, Patriots quarterback — and former UNC standout — Drake Maye also offered his two cents on the rumors of the coach taking over at his alma mater.
“Obviously a legendary coach with the success he had here, and what a great place Chapel Hill is. So any time you have a legendary NFL coach going back to college, I think it’s cool. It’s pretty interesting,” Maye said. “I think Coach Belichick would love Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill is a great spot… a cool thing for a Hall of Fame coach to go back and coach some college kids.
“I’m sure they’ll be excited,” Maye added. “Coach Belichick, defensive mind, I’m sure he’ll get that defense rolling. I think it’s a great spot and a great coaching job. I can’t blame him. It’s an awesome place.”
