Bill Belichick shocked the world last week by accepting the head coaching position at the University of North Carolina.
Known for his 24-year tenure with the New England Patriots, Belichick’s leap to college football stunned many, as he was widely expected to garner NFL interest after the season.
Appearing on the Let’s Go! podcast, Belichick told host Jim Gray that he most likely would have had NFL offers had he waited a few more weeks.
“I think there would’ve been some interest, but in the end, really, it’s not about what could’ve been or would’ve been, it’s about the opportunity at North Carolina,” Belichick said. “I think this program is in the right spot now to take off.”
The 72-year-old Belichick steps into a program that finished 6-6 this season and is gearing up for a bowl game against UConn.
Despite the challenges ahead, Belichick expressed confidence in his ability to quickly elevate the Tar Heels.
“We’re gonna get the team, make it as competitive as we can as soon as we can,” he said.
Interestingly, Belichick and UNC agreed to a buyout clause that allows him to leave after six months for $1 million, fueling speculation about his potential return to the NFL in 2026.
According to Gray, the clause reflects an understanding of Belichick’s options while securing his immediate commitment to the program (where his son, Steve, is expected to be the head coach in-waiting).
Prior to accepting the UNC job, Belichick reportedly pursued an opening with the New York Jets.
TheMMQB’s Albert Breer revealed that Belichick had reached out to former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, surprising many in the football world since his hatred for the organization is well known.
“What I heard was that Bill did indeed reach out to Mike Tannenbaum,” Breer said. “Tannenbaum was a little stunned but brought it back to the Jets’ front office people, and they mulled it. And they were working to set up a conversation between Belichick and Woody Johnson.”
However, the Jets’ slow response and the pressing timeline with North Carolina ultimately ended the NFL talks.
“This was a real thing,” Breer added. “I do think it illustrates that Bill at least wanted to make sure that the door was closed on the NFL for right now before he jumped into the college ranks.”
Belichick reportedly ignored overtures from at least one other NFL team during this time, signaling his prioritization of the Jets before fully committing to North Carolina.
It should be noted that some people still find the Jets report hard to believe. While others think Belichick purposely “expressed interest” as one final “screw you” to Woody Johnson, knowing that he’d accept the UNC job before the Jets a chance to respond.
Belichick’s shocking decision marks a significant shift in his storied career, as he has never coached at the collegiate level.
His NFL career began in 1975 with the Baltimore Colts and culminated in a Hall of Fame-worthy run with the Patriots, where he captured six Super Bowl titles.
Now, as he embarks on a new chapter with the Tar Heels, Belichick seems energized by the fresh challenge, leaving both the college and NFL worlds extremely eager to see how this all shakes out.
What are your thoughts on Belichick insisting that NFL teams would have been interested in him had he waited a few more weeks?
Which teams made a mistake by not pursuing him more aggressively? … The Giants? Cowboys? Bears? Jaguars? Maybe even the Bengals?
At the end of the day, how do you think this Belichick-UNC experiment will work out???
