UNC football program wanted to hire a former player for head coach before Bill Belichick

Though Bill Belichick won’t coach his first college football game until Labor Day, Bill continues to give UNC football fans hope that he’s the perfect head-coaching hire.

Belichick is busy out on the recruiting trail, coaching his Tar Heels through the first week of spring practices and, as time goes on, continuing to increase his popularity. North Carolina hasn’t enjoyed the type of success you might expect, given the university’s access to recruiting and financial resources, but Belichick brings a winning pedigree the program hasn’t seen before.

Remember when UNC started interviewing head-coaching candidates? Well, it turns out Belichick wasn’t their first option. According to a report from ESPN, it was Arthur Smith, who played at North Carolina from 2001-2005, who was atop the list.

“They were all hopeful they could lure Smith back to Chapel Hill, and then whether it was Belichick or anybody else, it would have been a moot point. Smith is who they wanted,” one source said via the report.

Arthur Smith, who led a much-improved Pittsburgh Steelers offense as their offensive coordinator during the 2024-2025 NFL season, was appreciative of UNC’s offer. Smith also pointed to how much he enjoys coaching in the NFL, though, particularly in the Steel City.

“I appreciate it, love that place,” Smith said of the opportunity, via ESPN. “But that’s not my focus. I mean, I’ve got one of the best jobs in football right now. There’s a lot to be said too about [how you] can’t put a price on personal and professional happiness, which I have here. [I] probably [have] a different mindset than I had five, four years ago where any head job, I probably would’ve walked there to take it. Now my perspective’s different, and when you got something good like I got here in Pittsburgh right now, family loves it here. I like the working…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/unc-football-program-wanted-hire-150109181.html

Author : Tar Heels Wire

Publish date : 2025-03-08 15:01:00

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