Bill Belichick to UNC rumors intensity as CFB insider provides latest update on potential move

Could Bill Belichick to UNC really happen? According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, there could be more to the conversations than some believe.

Schefter reported the former New England Patriots head coach met with North Carolina brass for five hours Sunday to discuss the school’s head coaching vacancy. Belichick would later confirm the talks.

UNC finished the season at 6-6 and decided to move on from long-time head coach Mack Brown. For the Tar Heels, filling the head coaching spot is an urgent matter as the transfer portal opened Monday.

Why Belichick to UNC could happen

Belichick shed light on the process during his Monday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show”. The eight-time Super Bowl winning coach acknowledged the conversations with university officials, including chancellor Lee Roberts.

“I’ve had an opportunity to talk to chancellor Roberts and we’ve had a couple of good conversations, so we’ll see how it goes”, Belichick said.

While Belichick's accolades have come in the pro game, college football is not a foreign topic to him. His first approach to football was following his father, Steve, as a US Naval Academy assistant coach.

That time had a lasting effect on Belichick, as he also talked to McAfee about early years in football. If Belichick to UNC becomes a reality, it could be a way to come full circle for the coach.

“I grew up around college football and some great Navy teams there and I learned a lot. Really kind of patterned a lot of my pro teams off the teams that I grew up around in the sixties as a kid growing up in the Naval Academy”, Belichick said.

One aspect that could sway Belichick to UNC is a perceived lack of interest from NFL teams. After he left New England last year, only the Atlanta Falcons approached him, but decided to go to Raheem Morris instead after a few meetings. Belichick is 15 wins shy of the all-time record for a coach, held by Don Shula.

One big hurdle for NFL teams hiring Belichick is potentially giving up roster control. Belichick had a say in personnel decisions in New England, which could make NFL executives hesitant to hire him. In college, there is no such issue, as head coaches are primarily responsible for recruiting and transfers.

As talks continue between the coach and school, Belichick to UNC seems to be a possible outcome.

Other coaches being considered for the North Carolina head coaching job

While Belichick might be the most appealing choice for Tar Heel fans, school officials have been looking at a handful of other names. It is unknown if there is a frontrunner for the job this point, but it’s been reported that they have talked to several candidates.

According to reports, Tulane’s John Sumrall and Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, are no longer in the running.

According to ESPN’s Chris Low, Army’s Jeff Monken has also been approached by North Carolina officials. Georgia offensive coordinator Glenn Schumann is also reported to be a candidate for the job.