Football players from the University of North Carolina have paused their transfer plans after Bill Belichick was hired as their head coach.
On Wednesday, ESPN reported that the legendary NFL coach is finalizing a deal to take over the Chapel Hill clipboard next season.
The move provides a shot of adrenaline for the Tar Heels fanbase and program, which, despite their excellence in basketball, has gone 49-51 in football over the last eight years.
Along with Belichick’s arrival, the program will likely see a flood in resources as it enters a new era under his helm. According to Matt Hayes of USA Today Sports, the Tar Heels could see a significant boost in their NIL budget.
UNC’s NIL package for football will increase from $4million to $20m as the school looks to secure Belichick on their sideline, per Hayes.
After whispers of the increased funding and Belichick’s arrival circulated, two players who initially entered the transfer reacted on social media.
UNC players are reconsidering their entry to the transfer portal after Bill Belichick’s hiring
Belichick and UNC are reportedly finalizing a deal for the legendary coach to take over
Travis Shaw, a former five-star defensive lineman, posted a cryptic message on X amid speculation about Belichick’s arrival. On Tuesday, Shaw posted a monocle emoji, as if to re-think his decision.
Meanwhile, teammate Austin Blaske pulled his name out of the pool right off the bat on Wednesday with the NIL money potentially playing a massive part.
‘I have decided to take my name out of the transfer portal…. #GoHeels #gdtbath,’ he wrote on X.
Despite Blask’s re-commitment to the program USC still has about a dozen players in the transfer portal.
Adam Schefter broke the news of Belichick’s hiring on Wednesday, closing UNC’s coaching search after reports of his initial interview surfaced earlier this week.
Belichick succeeds recently fired Mack Brown, who was relieved of his duties after six years in charge of the team.
According to Branden Marks of The Athletic, the seven-time Super Bowl winner is expected to signa a three-year contract worth $30m. The deal would make him one of the highest paid coach in the US on an annual basis.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk