Bill Belichick near deal with North Carolina: Legendary NFL coach would join college ranks in stunning move

North Carolina is “nearing” a deal with legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick to lead the program, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones and Inside Carolina. The six-time Super Bowl champion has never coached at the collegiate level in any capacity, but now, it appears he is prepared to take over the top coaching position on the open market.

UNC’s Board of Trustees is working on setting up an emergency meeting to approve Belichick’s contract, according to Inside Carolina and ABC11 in Chapel Hill.

Belichick’s interest in the Tar Heels opening was first reported by Inside Carolina, marking the first known contact he had with a college job since leaving the New England Patriots in 2023. He has spent the 2024 season working in television; however, ESPN reported in September that Belichick hoped to return to coaching in 2025.

A potential hire of Belichick, 72, would come after the Tar Heels fired coach Mack Brown, 73, following six seasons in his second stint with the team. Brown was only FBS coach older than 70; Belichick, eight months younger, would be embarking on his first job coaching college football at any level.

Belichick is arguably the greatest coach in NFL history, winning six Super Bowls as a head coach and two more as an assistant. He won three AP NFL Coach of the Year awards during a legendary 24-year run with the Patriots and holds NFL records for most Super Bowl appearances (nine), playoff wins (19) and division championships (17) as a coach. He joins Don Shula and George Halas as the only coaches in NFL history to clear 300 wins.

Should Belichick complete his move to college football, he would likely end his NFL career standing 15 wins shy of surpassing Shula’s all-time career victories record.

There was belief around the NFL that Belichick would not seriously consider moving to the collegiate ranks when his interview with North Carolina was first reported….

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/bill-belichick-near-deal-with-north-carolina-legendary-nfl-coach-would-join-college-ranks-in-stunning-move/

Author : Shehan Jeyarajah

Publish date : 2024-12-11 22:11:00

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