The University of North Carolina is still mulling over a decision to bring aboard NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick as the head coach of the Tar Heels’ football team.
Last week, it was revealed that the 72-year-old coaching icon was having discussions with the school in Chapel Hill to take over the program after the athletic department fired its former coach Mack Brown following a season that failed to meet expectations.
According to ESPN, talks between the school and the coach are continuing, ‘with some type of resolution either way expected this week.’
ESPN also revealed that Belichick and officials from UNC have met at least once – in New York last week – and that discussions have continued.
The coach will be making multiple media appearances throughout the week as part of his new busy schedule – which the report says ‘could add some clarity to the level of his interest.’
ESPN’s sources said it isn’t clear ‘how deep UNC’s talks with Belichick are’, but they have been happening ‘for an extended period of time.’
North Carolina is expected to make a decision on the hiring of Bill Belichick this week
A number of details would need to be ironed out, including salary, contract length, staff resources, level of control over the program, and any potential role for his son – Stephen Belichick.
It’d be a very interesting time for Belichick to make his first entrance into the world of college football, especially in the era of NIL.
Belichick has never once taken a job within college football – with his first job after graduating from Wesleyan University in 1975 coming with the Baltimore Colts. He then went on to take minor coaching roles with the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, and New York Giants.
With the Giants, he was elevated to defensive coordinator and won a Super Bowl under head coach Bill Parcells before he left for his first head coaching gig with the Cleveland Browns.
After getting fired from Cleveland in 1995, he re-joined Parcells with the New England Patriots for one season.
He then jumped ship to the New York Jets for three seasons before returning to Foxborough in 2000 and starting arguably the greatest dynasty in the history of professional sports.
If Belichick doesn’t take the UNC job, there are a number of possible candidates to helm the Tar Heels – with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Army West Point head coach Jeff Monken among the rumored names, according to ESPN.
Previously linked coaches Jon Sumrall of Tulane and Matt Campbell of Iowa State are no longer expected to be a part of the search.
Belichick would come in to replace Mack Brown, who was fired as coach mid-season
After being expected to fight for an ACC title, North Carolina fell to a 6-6 record this season
North Carolina, which was expected to be a contender for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title, fell well short of its goals this season.
After starting the season 3-0, the team fell to 6-6 in the regular season – losing five conference games, including to in-state rivals Duke and North Carolina State.
North Carolina will end its season playing in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts against the 8-4 UConn Huskies on December 28.
Former Cleveland Browns head coach and current UNC tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens will lead the team in its bowl game.
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