One of the NFL’s most iconic coaches is considering a move to college football. Bill Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl champion, interviewed for the head coaching position at North Carolina this week, as first reported by Inside Carolina on Thursday. He is among several candidates being evaluated by the Tar Heels after they fired Mack Brown on November 26. According to Inside Carolina, this group also includes Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall and Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, among others. The initial discussions between Belichick and UNC officials reportedly began on Sunday.
ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter mentioned in September that Belichick was thinking about returning to coaching in 2025 but would likely be selective about his next opportunity. He reportedly turned down offers from the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams for defensive coordinator positions last offseason, which were described as notable assistant roles. This indication of Belichick’s interest in a college football position is the first confirmed instance according to Inside Carolina.
Belichick and the New England Patriots mutually parted ways on January 11, 2024, after a disappointing 4-13 season, the worst record in his 24-year tenure with the team. Shortly after, he interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons’ head coaching job, which ultimately went to Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Over the past year, Belichick has engaged in various roles in sports media, including appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show” during NFL draft coverage and participating weekly during the NFL season. He has also joined the “ManningCast” during ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcasts and contributed as an analyst on The CW Network’s “Inside the NFL.”
Currently, UNC is one of four job openings at the Power Five level, alongside UCF, West Virginia, and Purdue, with CBS Sports ranking UNC as the top opening in college football. Following Brown’s exit, the program is now in an interim phase as athletics director Bubba Cunningham intensifies the search for the next Tar Heels football coach. On Monday, the school released an interview with Cunningham, where he discussed the search process and his strategy for hiring a new coach.
“We have an advisory group that’s helping us sort through candidates,” Cunningham stated, adding, “We’ve had an incredible response from individuals across the country, with agents and coaches reaching out on behalf of others in the industry. We feel very optimistic about our position; the level of interest in our program is exceptional, and we’ll find a great coach to lead us. We need someone who can guide us for the next three, five, or ten years and elevate us from good to great.”
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