Bill Belichick has taken the college football landscape by storm. His rumored move to the collegiate level, to the University of North Carolina, has sparked several opinions in the footballing world.
Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, who played college football for the Florida Gators, Blinn Buccaneers, and the Auburn Tigers, had his say on the rumors of the Tar Heels considering Belichick as a replacement for Mack Brown, who was let go after a 6-6 season.
Cam Newton Rejects Idea of Bill Belichick Coaching College Football
Appearing on ESPN’s “First Take,” Newton was skeptical about Belichick’s fit in the college football landscape. He was asked, “How do you think Bill Belichick would do in the current CFB model?”
“I don’t think he’ll fit in because of this realm or era that we’re living in with the entitlement kids,” Newton said.
He referenced Belichick’s no-nonsense coaching style and the challenges of handling NIL-driven athletes. Belichick’s credentials are undeniable: six Super Bowl titles as the New England Patriots’ head coach and two more as the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator.
However, Belichick’s lack of college coaching experience raises questions about adapting to a world dominated by transfer portals and NIL deals.
“Now, the thing that I admired most about Coach Belichick was that he was an astute student of the game. He was almost like an almanac, right, and he would teach the sport of football to everybody from trainers to kickers to punters,” the former NFL QB continued.
“Everybody just had to understand the point of emphasis that he was trying to make. I don’t know if that works for a 17-year-old five-star recruit that feels like he’s supposed to get even more money from NIL,” Newton said, stressing Belichick’s old-school, hard-practice mentality.
However, despite Newton’s thoughts, one cannot relinquish that Belichick’s name carries weight. His recruiting clout could be a game-changer for the Tar Heels, who are also considering candidates like Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, and former NFL coach Steve Wilks.
MORE: Former NFL Safety Drops Bold Statement on Bill Belichick-UNC Union
Interestingly, Belichick is historically tied to the Tar Heels — his father, Steve, coached at UNC in the 1950s. Whether that connection helps bridge the NFL-to-NCAA gap remains to be seen.
If the former Patriots head coach takes the job switching to the collegiate level, he will bring a unique perspective to college football, laden with vast knowledge of the game, to rebuild UNC’s program.
