Bill Belichick introduced as UNC football coach: "I didn't come here to leave"
BOSTON -- Bill Belichick has started a new chapter in his storied football career, as he was officially introduced as the head football coach at the University of Carolina. It's represents a new experience for Belichick, who spent the last five decades coaching at the NFL level.
But Belichick wasn't deterred by the unknown that awaits him at the college level. It's something he's always wanted to experience, but as he humbly put it Thursday, his success in the NFL kind of got in the way.
"I always wanted to coach in college football, it just never really worked out. I had some good years in the NFL, so that was OK," Belichick told the gathering of reporters in Chapel Hill. "But this is really a dream come true. I grew up in college football with my dad and as a kid all I knew was college football. It's great to come back home to Carolina and back into an environment I grew up in."
Belichick was just a toddler when his father served as an assistant coach at UNC in the 1950s, but the school and program have a special place in his heart. When UNC chancellor Lee Roberts and athletic director Bubba Cunningham presented him with a new Tar Heels sweatshirt -- complete with the sleeves cut off -- Belichick broke out his own.
It was his dad's old UNC sweatshirt from his coaching days, and it looked the part.
"That's how I like it," joked Belichick. "It has some wear on it."
Why is Belichick trying something new at 72?
Belichick did not coach in 2024 after his 24-year run with the New England Patriots came to an end last January. He consumed a lot of football over the last year at every level, both as a spectator and a member of the media, and said that he has a new appreciation for the game.
"I think I have a better overall perspective of the game of football and the fan interest in football. When you're locked into coaching, you're not as aware of the external excitement and energy and feelings. That became a lot more evident to me," he said. "It's great, the most popular sport by far and I can see why."
Belichick said he didn't seek out opportunities in college, but the college game came to him. He was asked why, at the age of 72, does he want to keep coaching football -- especially at a level he's never experienced before.
"It beats working. When you love what you do – and my dad told me this – it's not work," Belichick said with a smirk. "I love coaching, the interaction with players, building a team, working with assistants, the game itself. ... It's great to wake up every day and come into that environment."
Belichick said he'll be at UNC for a long time
At the pro level, Belichick is only 15 wins away from surpassing Don Shula as the league's all-time wins leader. While NFL teams haven't shown much interest in him over the last two years, there's a chance that could change if he has success at North Carolina.
But Belichick dismissed any notion that he would leave UNC should an NFL team came calling.
"I didn't come here to leave," he said to an applause. "I feel like doing this a long time. I'm good to go."
Bill Belichick wants to build UNC into a winning program
Belichick won 333 games in the NFL (regular season and postseason) and six Super Bowl titles with the Patriots as a head coach. His objective in Chapel Hill is to obviously win as many games and build a winning program that has a lasting legacy.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to develop and build the student athletes and prepare them for their life, either in the NFL or professionally. They'll be pros in all areas and that's what we want to develop, in addition to a winning program," said Belichick. "We want to develop good people, good kids, and a good football program."
Belichick said that developing players is just as important as winning games, and referenced a trio of Patriots greats in the process.
"If you look at the players we had in NFL, Tom Brady was a fourth-string quarterback his rookie year. He didn't exactly come in with any playing time at all," said Belichick. [Rob] Gronkowski didn't do too much his rookie year. Julian Edelman played quarterback in college, and then he was a wide receiver and then he was a punt returner.
"Developing players is something that [general manager] Michael [Lombardi] and I believe strongly in. We'll support that with the staff and we'll support that with the program," he added. "There's a lot of opportunity and room for growth for all players, whether 19, 20 or honestly, 22, 23."
Much like at the NFL level, Belichick is going to create a team that can adapt against any opponent.
"I want to be versatile and take advantage of the personnel we have. I've always been that way. I don't want to just run four or five plays, I believe in attacking a defense and defending what the offense does well. That takes versatility. No two teams are the same and you have to change week to week," he said.
Belichick also said there was no 400-page football bible presented to the UNC brass during the courting process, as was previously reported.
"Don't believe everything you read in the papers," he said. "I have no idea where that came from. I don't have a 400-page document. I mean …. To think I would just go out and hand it – come on."
How will Belichick fill out his UNC staff?
"We'll hire the best coaches we can hire," said Belichick. "Do everything I can to hep this program and make it as strong as possible."
That process will have to wait though, as Belichick doesn't want to step on any toes.
"Several coaches are involved in bowl games, so I won't interfere with the process of those schools and their commitments to those teams. In the end, I've already had a lot of people contact me," he said. "There will be a strong presence of NFL people on the staff and in the training area. At the same time, I'm looking for the best people we can get for Carolina."
Belichick also said he'd be part of the recruiting process. While most of his recruiting work will be done on campus, he won't mind hitting up a few living rooms if needed.
"I would love to do that. There are only so many opportunities for a college head coach to do that," he said. "When those opportunities are there, and if it's the best thing to do in that process, I'll absolutely be there."
Belichick's family ties to North Carolina
As previously mentioned, Belichick's father, Steven, was an assistant coach at UNC from 1953 to 1955. Belichick was only two at the time, but he said coming back to North Carolina brings his career "full circle."
"When you're little you don't remember everything and I was too young to remember things from Carolina. But you hear the same stories over and over again, and one I always heard were "Billy's first words were 'Beat Duke,'" he recalled. "So full circle."
Belichick even dropped a "MyFace" reference
Belichick has received loads of support from the North Carolina community, from past players Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers -- who was present on Thursday. He even saw a lot of support on social media, though he admitted he is no expert in that field.
"Awful lot of positive feedback from MyFace and stuff like that. It was great," said Belichick.
As for the doubters on "MyFace," Belichick will do his best to prove them wrong.
"I'm here to do the best that I can for UNC and the program. I'm going to do the best I can every day," he said.
