Patriots' Drake Maye gets candid on Bill Belichick taking up UNC job

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye opened up on Bill Belichick being the North Carolina Tar Heels' new coach. Maye played his college football at UNC.

Maye was the Tar Heels' starting quarterback in 2022 and 2023, which led to him being selected third overall in the 2024 NFL draft by the Patriots. Yet, he missed being coached by Belichick by a year, who is now going to his alma mater to be the Tar Heels' next coach.

Following the news that Belichick was hired by UNC, Maye said it's cool to see UNC hire a legendary coach.

"Obviously, you know, legendary coach, you know with the success he had here, and what a great place Chapel Hill is. Any time you have a legendary NFL coach going back to college I think it’s cool," Maye said.

As Maye said, having a legendary coach take over is always a good thing. The quarterback is hopeful that Belichick can help lead the Tar Heels back to prominence and be a playoff team in the near future.

At UNC, Maye went 17-9 as a starter over two years throwing for 8,018 yards, 63 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Bill Belichick eager to coach at UNC

Bill Belichick is excited to coach at UNC - Source: Imagn

Bill Belichick and the University of North Carolina agreed to a five-year deal. The deal is pending approval from a Board of Trustees.

Belichick said he's excited to coach at Chapel Hill and help turn around the program.

"I grew up around college football with my dad and treasured those times," Belichick said as part of a release announcing the move, via ESPN. "I have always wanted to coach in college and now I look forward to building the football program in Chapel Hill."

Tar Heels athletic director Bubba Cunningham said:

"Bill Belichick is a football legend and hiring him to lead our program represents a new approach that will ensure Carolina Football can evolve, compete and win -- today and in the future.

"At Carolina, we believe in providing championship opportunities and the best experience possible for our student-athletes, and Coach Belichick shares that commitment."

UNC went 6-6 last season and fired legendary coach Mack Brown.