Bill Belichick is heading to Chapel Hill after agreeing to become North Carolina’s next coach, according to multiple reports.
The 72-year-old has never coached at the college level and is just 15 wins shy of breaking Don Shula’s all-time NFL wins record. But, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Belichick — who won six Super Bowls as coach of the New England Patriots — didn’t want to wait around for something that wasn’t a sure thing even though several NFL teams could be in the hunt for a new coach in 2025.
Here’s what those around the NFL are saying about Belichick’s new opportunity.
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“UNC, meanwhile, was enamored by Belichick’s star power, and his plan for resurrecting the program – he reportedly submitted a 400-page bible on how to win. Even though Belichick has zero experience coaching at the college level, or dealing with the transfer portal, recruiting and the NIL, his handling of the draft and free agency was close enough to suit the powers that be at Chapel Hill.”
Jason McCourty, NFL analyst and former Patriots cornerback
“Chapel Bill has a nice ring to it!”
Michael Silver & Jeff Howe, The Athletic
“By moving to the college ranks, Belichick might sacrifice the pursuit of a record he once appeared destined to break. For a long time, surpassing Shula’s NFL wins record was a driving force for Belichick, a chance to one-up the coach who once said that Patriots scandals “diminished” what Belichick built in New England. But sources close to Belichick say he was turned off by the NFL’s hiring cycle last winter, when only the Atlanta Falcons opted to interview him even though eight teams had openings. Belichick was expected to have a stronger NFL market this offseason; three franchises have already fired their coaches — the Jets, the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints — and another five to seven openings are expected.”
“For a program awash in apathy and mediocrity, this marks a distinct and compelling shift from Mack Brown, as Belichick gives the Tar Heels an unprecedented jolt of star power for 2025 and beyond.”
“From the moment Bill Belichick began speaking to UNC, this was serious. Now, he’s slated to land in college, following the footsteps of friends Nick Saban, Greg Schiano and Kirk Ferentz.”
Alex Barth, 98.5 The Sports Hub
“I don’t think Bill Belichick would coach UNC’s bowl game this year (Freddie Kitchens is the interim HC), but if he does that would put his college coaching debut back in New England. UNC faces UConn in the Fenway Bowl Dec. 28.”
“The addition of Belichick is a watershed moment for North Carolina, an athletic department best known for its men’s basketball program and immense success in non-revenue sports. He instantly add an air of credibility — even beyond what Brown brought as a national championship-winning coach — to the football team given his legendary NFL career.”
