BOSTON — UConn head coach Jim Mora exhibited a strategic approach reminiscent of Bill Belichick as he readied the Huskies for their matchup against North Carolina in the upcoming Fenway Bowl. His arrival to the media session was notably delayed by over 45 minutes, despite it being initially scheduled for only 30. When finally addressing the gathered media, Mora employed a response that echoed Belichick’s no-nonsense style, stating, “We practice at a certain time the day before a game, and we stuck to the script.”
Belichick, who achieved remarkable success with six Super Bowl titles alongside Tom Brady, was recently dismissed after a disappointing 4-13 season, leaving him 14 wins shy of tying Don Shula’s record for most victories in NFL history. At 72 years old, he transitioned to North Carolina after the university parted ways with 73-year-old Mack Brown, marking his first foray into the college coaching arena. Although Belichick has not yet assumed the coaching responsibilities for the Tar Heels, interim coach Freddie Kitchens, another former Browns head coach, will lead the team into the Fenway Bowl. Discussions surrounding Belichick’s possible return to a Boston football field have dominated the narrative leading up to the game.
Missing the media day event, Belichick was a point of contention during press interactions. Fenway Bowl executive director Brett Miller urged reporters to focus on the players and coaches present, attempting to steer discussions away from Belichick’s influence. He remarked, “I know there’s probably a lot of questions that you guys have about next year, particularly one side,” emphasizing that the current players deserved attention for their accomplishments. Nonetheless, Kitchens did answer a direct question regarding Belichick, indicating their regular communication: “He asks questions; I answer the questions.”
Kitchens expressed his eagerness to learn from Belichick, noting, “I’m going to try to soak in all I can from him, and be a better coach because of it.” He highlighted his commitment to the Tar Heels and his belief that bringing in Belichick was a significant step forward for the program. In concluding his commentary, he affirmed, “At the end of the day, he’s a ballcoach,” emphasizing his admiration for working alongside experienced coaches.
Mora, when posed a question about how the coaching transition at North Carolina might affect their game strategy, downplayed its significance. “It’s irrelevant to us,” he stated, recalling his own record of 0-1 against Belichick during his NFL coaching tenures. “We can’t control the emotions of our opponents. And as far as I know, coach Belichick will not be taking the football field on Saturday, so it’s not relevant to this football team in our preparation.”
The North Carolina Tar Heels enter the game owning a 6-6 record, marking their sixth consecutive bowl appearance, the second-longest such streak in the history of the program. Following a tough few seasons under previous coach Larry Fedora, they rebounded under Mack Brown, making appearances in the Associated Press Top 25 over recent years. However, after starting the current season strong at 3-0, they faced four consecutive defeats, including a staggering 70-50 defeat to James Madison. The team eventually managed to clinch bowl eligibility before their last two losses, leading to Brown’s departure.
Conversely, UConn stands ready to compete in its second bowl game in three years under Mora. They improved from a 3-9 record last season to achieve their first eight-win season since the 2010 Fiesta Bowl. Competing as an independent, the Huskies excelled against non-Power 4 teams but encountered challenges against prominent Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten schools.
According to Miller, the Fenway Bowl, which has traditionally struggled for recognition in a city that prioritizes its professional teams, has seen a boost in ticket sales this year compared to its initial two seasons. While Belichick’s potential involvement has contributed to the increased interest, recent bowl attendees have successfully showcased their programs, such as Louisville and SMU before them. “Could one of these teams be next?” Miller pondered, leaving that possibility open.
