Head coach Bill Belichick is set to make a career comeback with the University of North Carolina. The news of the former New England Patriots head coach’s return shocked many fans and analysts. Some expressed faith and excitement, while others predicted shortcomings.
In the list of Belichick’s supporters was the popular rapper Lil Wayne, who took a jab at the critics while congratulating the six-time Super Bowl champion.
Lil Wayne Takes Stand for Bill Belichick Following Move to UNC
The five-time Grammy Award winner took to Twitter (formerly known as X) to express dissatisfaction with many people’s harsh criticism of Belichick’s decision.
Wayne wrote on X, “Man much respect 2da GOAT coach Bill Belichick! Not sure why they’re all hatin but I believe it to be envy and just a bunch of folks that don’t know how to simply say ‘congratulations’ or nada! A wise man once said ‘u can luv me or hate me, I swear it wont make me or break me’…”
As the American rapper voiced his frustration while backing the new UNC coach, Belichick found another voice, Paul Finebaum, supporting his move to the collegiate level. The buzz surrounding the $50 million move has Finebaum predicting the 72-year-old’s success in Chapel Hill.
On ESPN’s “Get Up,” Finebaum compared Belichick’s arrival at North Carolina to Deion Sanders’ arrival at Colorado two years back.
“When you think about the history of college football in recent years, the two biggest hires 10, 15 years ago were Urban Meyer and, of course, Nick Saban at Alabama. The two biggest hires of the current NIL-transfer portal era? Deion Sanders and now Bill Belichick,” Finebaum said.
Finebaum believes Belichick’s résumé as a coach gives the Tar Heels an edge in building a powerhouse. One challenge Belichick faces is recruiting, which has shifted focus to the transfer portal. Nevertheless, Finebaum is confident in Belichick’s ability to adapt.
“They’ll come to him, at least initially…you can win there. I mean, the fine line is just a couple of games a year and if he can do that, and I’m pretty sure he can, North Carolina is a power within two years,” he said.
Finebaum believes in the former Patriots HC’s free agency experience to navigate the current portal landscape. He also pointed out North Carolina’s position as a program with great potential.
“North Carolina was a good program, not great, but capable of reaching a championship game,” he said.
With Belichick’s arrival, college football is entering a new era.