Former Patriot Jokes About Bill Belichick Recruiting ‘Young Talent’ As No. 1 Player Eyes UNC Visit

New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick.

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The North Carolina Tar Heels have hired Bill Belichick as their new head football coach. The six-time Super Bowl winner will take over for Mack Brown, who was fired during the 2024 campaign in Chapel Hill.

Belichick makes the move from the NFL to the NCAA during a time when many coaches are doing the opposite. One of his former players believes he’ll do just fine in his new role.

Rob Ninkovich played for eight years in New England under Belichick’s leadership. He has no doubts about his ability to prepare a team for battle on the field. But in this era of NIL and the transfer portal, recruiting and keeping a roster intact has become more and more difficult.

Ninkovich has faith in Bill Belichick’s ability to recruit “young talent.” He says you can look no further than his girlfriend for proof!

“He does have experience recruiting young talent,” Ninkovich said on Get Up Thursday morning. “But I won’t get into that one…”

Belichick is dating 24-year-old former cheerleader Jordon Hudson. He can relate to the younger generation! Will it translate to success on the recruiting trail? Time will tell.

North Carolina is doing what it can to provide its new head coach with all the tools necessary to thrive. His NIL budget will supposedly reach $20 million, a $15M+ bump from what the Tar Heels were working with last season. The Belichick hire seems to have already caused some UNC transfers pause about leaving Chapel Hill. It’s been noted by high school recruits, too!

No. 1 QB Jared Curtis wants to meet Bill Belichick.

The Nashville based passer is the top signal caller in the 2026 cycle. He has not yet made his college decision, though he’s seen plenty of interest from quarterback needy suitors.

After seeing the Tar Heels land Belichick, he teased the idea of a visit to the North Carolina campus. One day in and the hire is already making an impact on the recruiting trail!

“[He’s] arguably the greatest coach of all time,” Curtis said. “Definitely want to get up there and meet him!”

Jared Curtis previously committed to Georgia before reopening his recruitment. North Carolina could be a player with Bill Belichick on the sidelines. It will be interesting to see how successful the Tar Heels are on the trail this offseason now that their new head coach is under contract. Interest should be through the roof. Belichick will be tasked with closing the deal!