With his hire at the University of North Carolina now official, Bill Belichick provided his first comments about taking over the Tar Heels football program.
“I am excited for the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill,” he wrote. “I grew up around college football with my dad ad treasured those times. I have always wanted to coach in college and now I look forward to building the football program in Chapel Hill.”
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The school officially named Belichick as UNC’s next head coach.
According to the release, Belichick agreed to a five-year deal pending approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, who are expected to meet at 9 a.m. Thursday morning.
“This is an exciting day for Carolina Football and our University,’’ Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said in the release. “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.”
Added Carolina Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham: “We know that college athletics is changing, and those changes require new and innovative thinking. 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. At Carolina, we believe in providing championship opportunities and the best experience possible for our student-athletes, and Coach Belichick shares that commitment. We are excited to welcome him to Chapel Hill.”
Belichick was let go by the Patriots after going 4-13 last season. He still holds the NFL record for most Super Bowl wins (six with the New England Patriots as head coach and two more with the New York Giants as a coordinator).
He left the NFL 15 wins short of breaking Don Shula’s all-time record for wins.
