"Looks like he went to Dallas and is trying to recruit CeeDee Lamb": Fans react to UNC HC Bill Belichick's recruiting visit to 4-star edge

The college football world was stunned when six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick became the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels in December. Tasked with revitalizing a struggling program, Belichick wastes no time making his presence felt on the recruiting trail.

Last week, Belichick visited Dallas to meet with four-star Zavion Griffin-Haynes, a highly regarded edge rusher.

Fans responded with a mix of humor and excitement, with one commenting:

“Looks like he went to Dallas and is trying to recruit CeeDee Lamb 😂,”

Another said,

“Bill bouta show us all how it’s done.”

image via ig@on3

Here are other reactions:

"Imagine having Bill pull up to your house for a visit."

"My man look so out of place! Just hang it up Bill 😂😂"

Image via Ig@On3

"Bill needs a bigger suit… 😭,"

"Get a new jacket Billy you’re struggling for air,"

Image via Ig@on3

Griffin-Haynes, the No. 10 prospect in Texas and No. 17 edge nationally according to On3, expressed enthusiasm about Belichick’s vision.

“Just the change of the program,” Griffin-Haynes said. “How the NFL caliber comes apart (of it) and how the program (will) grow into a championship program. He told me I’m an NFL player I gotta do what it takes to get there and coming to UNC he will make sure I’m in the right position too.”

Belichick’s NFL resume includes record six Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots and two more as an assistant with the Giants. His 333 career wins rank second all-time behind Don Shula.

Michael Lombardi, a former NFL executive and close associate of Belichick, has joined the Tar Heels as their general manager. Together, they aim to reshape the program’s trajectory.

Bill Belichick reflects on Patriots coaching transition during Pat McAfee Show appearance

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show in a suit and tie during a recruiting trip for his new role as North Carolina’s head football coach, Bill Belichick spoke briefly about the Patriots' decision to fire Jerod Mayo after a disappointing 4-13 season.

"The Patriots’ situation, honestly, I don’t have too much of a comment on that," Belichick said. "Robert Kraft, Jonathan Kraft, Robyn Glaser, they’re the decision makers there. Mayo was hand-picked by Robert, but in the end, the decision-making is something they’d have to comment on. I really don’t know from the outside looking in. They haven’t called me and asked, so I don’t know."

Mayo, a former Patriots linebacker from 2008 to 2015 and Super Bowl XLIX champion, joined Belichick’s staff in 2019 as linebackers coach. After Belichick and the Patriots mutually parted ways in Jan. 2024, Kraft promoted Mayo to head coach.

"I feel terrible for Jerod, because I put him in an untenable situation," Kraft said. "I know that he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league. He just needed more time before taking the job. In the end, I'm a fan of this team first, and now I have to go out and find a coach who can get us back to the playoffs and hopefully championships."

Belichick’s 24-year tenure with New England cemented him as one of football’s greatest coaches.