Bill Belichick, the former New England Patriots head coach and a six-time Super Bowl champion, parted ways with the NFL team this past January. It was the end of an era after he spent 24 years with the team, bringing home 17 AFC East division titles.
With Belichick now behind the camera, serving as a media member on Monday Night Football on Peyton and Eli Manning’s eponymous show, many are wondering whether he’ll find his way back to the field.
After interviewing for the head coaching position with the Atlanta Falcons twice earlier this year, the 72-year-old Belichick interviewed with the North Carolina Tar Heels to try and return to the gridiron, this time in the college capacity. Inside Carolina was the first to report the news, with Ian Rapoport confirming it on Thursday.
NFL Fans React to Bill Belichick Interviewing for UNC
Whether Belichick makes the cut remains to be seen, but fans flooded the comment section of a post about the interview, with some jesting while referencing his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson.
“His girlfriend committed to UNC?” a fan commented.
His girlfriend committed to UNC?
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) December 5, 2024
“All to be closer to his girlfriend. What a good guy. 🥹,” another user wrote.
Andrew Carter of The News and Observer reported that Belichick “blew away” the interviewers, but his lack of experience at the college level and his age would hinder his hiring, making it “extremely unlikely.” Many fans seemed to share this sentiment.
“This would be an awful move,” a fan said.
“While I respect his knowledge and experience, I just can’t imagine his style at the collegiate level. Although, one could argue that Div I athletes are now more closely aligned to professional athletes than ever with NIL options… he is definitely one of the 🐐. Could be interesting,” a fan chimed in.
The Tar Heels (6-6, 3-5 ACC) announced on Nov. 26 that Mack Brown was fired after the team finished near the bottom of its conference standing after losing to North Carolina State last week. So, a few fans suggested that bringing Belichick on could be a good move.
“Why would they not hire him?! UNC can only go up from there!” one fan wrote.
“They would instantly become a top 10 program. They have money, donors, Jordan brand. Very winnable conference too,” another fan said.
Freddie Kitchens, a former NFL coach, who’s been the run game coordinator and UNC’s tight ends coach for the last two seasons, is currently holding the position in the interim.