The Bill Belichick-to-UNC rumor mill galvanized college football fans, as reports streamed last week that the former New England Patriots coach had interviewed to be the successor to fired coach Mack Brown in Chapel Hill. During Monday's episode of the "Pat McAfee Show," Belichick confirmed that talks had indeed taken place between the parties.
On Tuesday, Guardian US analyst Ollie Connolly revealed on X that the Belichick-to-UNC speculation had firmed up:
"Update: Belichick has agreed to become the next UNC coach. Belichick handed the school a 400-page 'organizational bible' with structure, payment plans, staffing choices, etc. decisions on whether to commit with UNC. He is expected to know their decision within 24 hours."
As usual, college football fans on X uploaded hilarious memes after the news, with some referencing his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
Although the latest update by Connolly confirmed Belichick's interest in the role, the analyst also mentioned in another tweet that the former coach is "not willing to negotiate."
Belichick does not know what lies beyond these 24 hours, but according to the tweet, there has been "pushback from the group of 13 trustees," because the manual he provided them will require a large investment, which would fundamentally change the school's approach to the sport.
Bill Belichick to UNC gets analyst's seal of approval
During Friday's segment of "Get Up," outspoken ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum gave the sensational Bill Belichick-to-UNC move his notoriously difficult-to-get seal of approval:
"I could see him (Belichick) coaching in college next year. Chapel Hill is a very unique situation: the expectations aren’t the same as Georgia, Texas and Alabama, they have a great infrastructure. If they are patient, I think he can turn that place around. Mack Brown almost got over the hump, but just quite couldn’t. Bill Belichick could easily do that.
"College football is very much like the NFL. The General Manager manages all the player personnel, the salaries and the NIL. So Bill could be the coach and he can also make sure the infrastructure is set. I think it would be a home-run hire for North Carolina or anyone, quite frankly, in this part of the country.”
It remains to be seen whether UNC and Bill Belichick will come to an agreement that is satisfying for both parties.
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