
Bill Belichick is the only remaining candidate attached to the head coaching job at North Carolina after Jon Sumrall declared his intention to stay at Tulane and Barry Odom on his way to Purdue. It sounds like the six-time Super Bowl champion will have the first right to refusal even though a formal offer has yet to be presented to him.
The 72-year-old has multiple ties to the Tar Heels, dating back to his childhood, and the current state of college football is a lot more like the NFL than the amateur sport of the past.
A report first tied Belichick to UNC late last week. It initially seemed like a calculated PR stunt for both sides until administrators flew up to New York City for an in-person meeting shortly thereafter. According to Adam Schefter, they spoke again on Sunday for at least five hours. That’s a long time!
Belichick was not willing to go in depth about his candidacy during his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. However, he did allude to a lengthy conversation with Tar Heels brass.
.@AdamSchefter told us you talked to Chancellor Roberts for five hours yesterday..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 9, 2024
"I don't wanna give up too much information..
I've gotta get my press conference aura back" 😂
Bill Belichick #PMSLive https://t.co/bzEm3aSSDp pic.twitter.com/eeFGGBi1aH
There is obviously a lot to talk about. Belichick has never coached college football. How would that work?
First and foremost, it sounds like Belichick would bring an NFL-like structure to the program. He and the university have reportedly discussed a potential staff of high-profile names, including a succession plan that would guarantee his son as the school’s next head coach.
Even though Bill Belichick did not speak about Steve Belichick while chatting with McAfee, there was a discussion about college football as a whole. In the era of Name, Image and Likeness (with revenue sharing on the way) and the transfer portal, it is in the best interest of a university to structure its program like a professional organization. That includes a General Manager and multiple staffers who only focus on things like recruiting and NIL money. A head coach can handle the Xs and Os while the team he builds around him handles the other stuff.
"I think there are a lot of College Football programs that are being structured similar to NFL programs..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 9, 2024
I think it's closer to the NFL than it has ever been before" ~ Bill Belichick #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/89tVFWxr9P
IF — capital I, capital F — Belichick was in a college program, he would focus on getting his players to the next level. North Carolina would be a pipeline to the league.
"It seems like College Football is more like pro football right now..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 9, 2024
I grew up around College Football & I've had a chance this year to take a longer look at it..
I've had a couple good conversations with Chancellor Roberts & we'll see how it goes"
Bill Belichick #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/DA40eXqL7i
One of the biggest concerns (for lack of better word) with Bill Belichick on the collegiate level is recruiting. His former players don’t see how it would work. Tom Brady mimicked his former head coach to explain why he would struggle to relate to high schoolers.
Belichick feels confident that it won’t be an issue. He spoke about the recruiting process and how he would get the Tar Heels to compete on the highest level. Development would be the most important piece of the puzzle.
"I think the projection element is a lot different when you're recruiting for College Football..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 9, 2024
I learned a lot from the time I spent in Washington this season" ~ Bill Belichick #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/hls6wkiMyt
There is still a very long way to go before anything become official. UNC has not offered Belichick the job. Belichick may not accept. Both sides are still talking it through.