Bill Belichick, North Carolina decision reportedly expected this week
BOSTON -- Will Bill Belichick take over as head coach of North Carolina, or will he hold out for a job in the NFL? We should find out this week, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel and Chris Low.
Belichick interviewed for the UNC job last week and talks between the former Patriots head coach and the school have remained ongoing. Thamel and Low reported Monday that "some type of resolution either way" is expected this week.
This is a big week for college football, as the transfer portal opens on Monday. So the Tar Heels can't wait too long for Belichick, and Belichick shouldn't wait too long to make a decision.
Belichick confirmed Monday during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN that he has had a couple of "good conversations" with UNC chancellor Lee Roberts.
"We'll see how it goes," said Belichick. "I don't want to give out too much information. I need to get my press conference aura back."
While Belichick doesn't have any experience at the college level, he did say that college football is closer to the NFL than ever before.
"A lot of football programs are being structured similar to NFL programs," said Belichick. "In college, you have high school recruiting and the portal. In the NFL, you have the draft and free agency. Salary cap and negotiations with NFL agents, and in college it's whoever is representing the player. You have players changing teams in college as you have players changing teams in the NFL. There are different rules, but the same general structure.
"It's a little different version of the NFL model, much more so than it's ever been," he said.
Belichick would run a pro program in college
Belichick said that if he were to coach in college -- he emphasized "IF" with McAfee -- he would run an NFL-style program.
"It would be a pipeline to the NFL for players who have the ability to play in the NFL," he said. "It would be a professional program -- training, nutrition, scheme, coaching, techniques -- that would transfer to the NFL. It would be an NFL program at a college level, and an education that would get the players ready for their career after football, whether that's the end of their college career or the end of their pro career."
Belichick said his program would teach time management, discipline, and structure -- and lots and lots of football, of course -- that would have players ready for the next level, whether it's the NFL or not.
People close to Belichick "skeptical" he'd take UNC job
Some of the "issues" during UNC's courtship of Belichick have included a role for Belichick's son, Stephen (currently the defensive coordinator at Washington), the school's NIL resources, and Belichick's staff and salary, according to the ESPN report.
While sources have told ESPN that Belichick's interest in UNC has been "sincere and thorough," others have questioned whether or not he'd make the move to college. Former Patriots quarterback and current Fox analyst Tom Brady appeared on Fox's pregame show on Sunday, and expressed doubt over Belichick coaching at the NCAA level.
"There's a lot of things he can do, and obviously he's tremendous and even showing his personality. But getting out there on the recruiting trail and dealing with all these college kids with NIL? Could you imagine him recruiting?" questioned Brady.
"Do you really want to come here? We don't really want you anyway," Brady said in his best Belichick impression.
Brady appeared with former New England teammates Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, and that duo also didn't think Belichick would end up at the college level given all the extra work that goes with recruiting, the NIL, and the transfer portal.
Belichick also needs just 15 wins in the NFL to pass Don Shula on the league's all-time wins list. But he has a strong desire to coach again in 2025, and after being shut out of the NFL last offseason, Belichick may not want to risk passing up an opportunity with UNC.
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported Monday that Belichick is "very surprised" that he hasn't heard from any NFL teams regarding the 2025 season.
Jerod Mayo says Bill Belichick will succeed anywhere
However, the guy who replaced Belichick in New England thinks he'd be successful if he does make the move to college.
"He's a great coach," Jerod Mayo said Monday on his weekly appearance on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show. "To me, it doesn't matter if you're a young man or a 10-year vet in the league. He's a great teacher. I wish him nothing but the best. It doesn't really matter what level, I think he'll be successful."
Who else is in the running for the UNC job?
The Tar Heels may not have many options to replace Mack Brown, who was fired after six seasons at Chapel Hill. ESPN reported Monday that Tulane's Jon Sumrall and Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith are no longer interested in the vacancy. UNC has spoken with Army's Jeff Monken, according to Low, but it's unclear if there is interest on either side.
