Bill Belichick’s former star ‘can’t picture’ 6x Super Bowl champion pursuing national championship

Bill Belichick was able to remain busy in his first season without a football team to coach, but it is clear that he isn't 100% sold on doing it again in 2025. With the coach talking to North Carolina about coaching their football team, seemingly everyone has thoughts.

Speaking on Tuesday's edition of "Pro Football Talk," NFL analyst Devin McCourty's comments suggest that Belichick in college isn't something that he is completely sold on.

"When I first heard the news and I saw my former teammates, Brady and Adelman and Gronkowski on Fox and they were asked about it and I had the same initial reaction of like, I can't picture him in college. I just can't see it," McCourty said. (00:59)

Of course, this could also be a gut reaction to seeing something completely different from what he saw in person and on television for decades. One may compare this to hypothetically seeing Nick Saban return to the NFL after nearly two decades working in the college game regarding how radical a change could feel.

Bill Belichick's decision on North Carolina coaching gig could be imminent

Bill Belichick at New England Patriots Press Conference - Source: Getty

Many believed that Tom Brady's former coach's decision on North Carolina would linger. Some expected Belichick to at least test the waters following Black Monday before making any coaching decision.

However, various reports indicate a decision could be much closer than expected. Reports have differed, but action often follows once the noise ratchets up in these situations.

According to insiders Ollie Connolly and Jordan Shultz via Sports Illustrated, both sides have continued to show interest. However, Connolly has reported that Belichick has already agreed while Schultz reports that no agreement has been reached.

Either way, Belichick's decision appears closer than further away with more confirmations on either choice needed.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have steadily declined over the last three years. In 2022, they went 9-5, in 2023, they went 8-5, and in 2024, they are 6-6.

Should Belichick take the job, his first official game would be expected to happen in late August next season, about 18 months since he coached his last game for the New England Patriots.

Conolly reported that Belichick drafted a new manual for the job that would require historic levels of investment for the team. The school hasn't decided whether it will go with the expensive proposition.

Will the FBS get a taste of what the NFL has had for most of the last 25 years?

If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk," and H/T Sportskeeda.