The football world was taken by surprise when legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick made the unexpected decision to join the college ranks, accepting the head coaching job at the University of North Carolina.
Among those caught off guard was one of Belichick’s former players – newly appointed New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel, who played under Belichick in New England and later became a respected NFL coach himself, reacted to the move with a mix of humor and honesty during a recent appearance on The Triple Option Show.
“I don’t know, like I didn’t talk to Bill about his decision, man,” Vrabel said. “We talk, but we’ll see. I think three years in college was enough for me, and I took off to the NFL. I’m sure Urban told you. Urban didn’t want to hire me, or that was just his way of motivating me.
“He did a good job because I learned a lot there. But I just felt like the pro game was where I wanted to be. And if Bill feels like he wants to go down to North Carolina and recreate that, I wish him all the luck in the world.”
Belichick, who spent over two decades crafting a dynasty in New England, now faces the very different landscape of college football – a world where coaches not only strategize but also mentor younger athletes, manage recruiting, and build programs from the ground up.
The transition from the NFL to college is far from simple – especially in this new day and age of NIL and the transfer portal.
In the NFL, coaches deal with seasoned veterans and career athletes. College football, on the other hand, is as much about development and discipline as it is about X’s and O’s.
Of course, Vrabel is no stranger to that distinction.
After a brief stint in college coaching – including time under Urban Meyer at Ohio State – he transitioned to the NFL and found success as head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Despite guiding the team to playoff appearances, Vrabel was let go after the 2023 season, only to land one of the most coveted jobs this offseason: taking over the reins in Foxborough.
Now back with the Patriots, Vrabel inherits a team steeped in Belichick’s legacy.
While he looks to forge his own path, his deep roots in New England’s system could help maintain continuity for a franchise in transition.
Meanwhile, Belichick embarks on a new chapter, trading Super Bowls for Saturdays in Chapel Hill, where he’ll attempt to apply his unparalleled football mind to the collegiate level.
For Vrabel, the move may be hard to grasp – but there’s no animosity. Just admiration, curiosity, and a bit of dry wit.
What are your thoughts on how the two New England legends will do in their new roles: Belichick with UNC and Vrabel with the Patriots???
