Bill Belichick was a legendary head coach in the NFL. He led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins during his tenure as head coach from 2000-23. But that era of his career is over, and now he’s moving to the college ranks. In December 2024, he signed on as the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels and is taking the job seriously.
Bill Belichick Lays Down the Law in Chapel Hill as He Starts Tar Heels Tenure
Belichick was in Chapel Hill, N.C., to speak with the media about his plans for the Tar Heels in his first college football coaching job, as seen in a video posted to the team’s X account on Wednesday, March 5. He emphasized the importance of team buy-in and building a strong unit rather than focusing on individual recognition. He also said he enjoys the opportunity to coach every position on the team.
“The great thing about being a head coach is I can coach anybody I want,” Belichick said. I can coach the line, I can yell at the tight ends, I can yell at the DBs, I can yell at the kickers. I can go to any group I want and coach them, and honestly that’s the fun part. You see something you want to address and talk to a player about, you can go in there and talk to them.”
Belichick continued, discussing what he plans to do as the head coach of the Tar Heels and what his vision is for the program.
“I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve had the opportunity to coach every position on the field, on offense, defense, and special teams, and so if I can help a player, I’m here to help them. That’s my job. I just want to help them get better,” Belichick said.
Belichick did not stop there, focusing in on what he wants his team to prioritize and what his focus will be on.
“Numbers and what color gloves we wear, that’s not as important as doing your job and being responsible and accountable to your teammates and being a good teammate. So, our focus is on the team. We’re all just out there working, practicing, trying to get better. That’s coaches, players, all of us. It’s not all about individual notoriety right now. It’s about trying to put together a team.”
Coach @Belichick_B at the 🎤 pic.twitter.com/klfl2C0Qpm
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) March 5, 2025
It’ll be interesting to see how Belichick’s coaching style translates to college. In the NFL, he was known as a direct, no-nonsense coach who didn’t tolerate sloppy play on or off the field. But now, he’s working with student-athletes juggling a full class schedule, many of whom won’t make it to the NFL. That could require some adjustments to his approach.