CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Renowned NFL coach Bill Belichick has found a new home on the practice sidelines, transitioning from professional football to a college environment as he begins his tenure at the University of North Carolina. The iconic coach, known for winning six Super Bowl titles, has traded in his signature hoodie for a navy blue quarter-zip top, a ball cap, and mesh shorts showcasing the Tar Heel’s distinctive Carolina blue. At 72, Belichick is diving into the realm of college coaching for the first time, marking the beginning of spring practice in this quaint college town as he takes on the ambitious challenge of elevating the Tar Heels’ football program.
Known for his humor, Belichick teased at a pre-practice conference, “That’s the great thing about being a head coach — I can coach anybody I want. 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.” As he concluded the media event, Belichick’s return to the field was symbolized by a forgotten whistle, picked up and blown with a quick chirp, igniting a new chapter for the team in spring drills.
Having signed a five-year contract in December with an annual salary of $10 million for the first three years guaranteed, Belichick’s mission is to construct a pro-style football model at UNC — a so-called “33rd” NFL team in the college sphere. Collaborating with general manager Michael Lombardi, formerly of the NFL, this new direction is aimed at reshaping the college football landscape. Although Belichick has been seen on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show,” followed closely on social media, and even at basketball games, his interaction with local media has been limited since his initial announcement three months prior.
UNC welcomed the onset of spring practice on Tuesday, offering a glimpse of practice to media on Wednesday. However, Belichick observed quietly from a distance behind the end zone, maintaining the enigmatic aura surrounding the sessions without player numbers easily visible. His interaction with the media on Wednesday was notably more forthcoming than the terse exchanges often seen during his New England Patriots days, discussing the experience of spring practices with padded players — a unique feature at the college level compared to the NFL.
Drawing from observations at the University of Washington as they prepped for the Big Ten entry, Belichick noted the significant growth achieved during spring sessions, an opportunity he plans to maximize in developing his program at Chapel Hill. His transition to coaching younger players, as opposed to seasoned NFL veterans, has been well-received, as he compared it to rookie minicamps, integrating new talent into a cohesive team context.
During his illustrious career with the Patriots alongside quarterback Tom Brady, Belichick clinched six championships, with his last in the 2018 season. After parting ways with New England in 2023, he emerged as a leading candidate for various NFL roles, though no offers materialized. Consequently, Belichick embraced college coaching, stepping in following UNC’s decision to part with Mack Brown, the institution’s most successful coach in terms of wins.
This week, UNC announced a coaching staff brimming with NFL and college expertise, including former Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens and Belichick’s sons, Steve and Brian, in key defensive roles. As the spring session progresses, roster decisions, especially regarding the transfer portal, remain on hold until practice concludes on April 12. Looking ahead, an exciting college football season opener looms, with UNC set to face TCU on Labor Day under the spotlight of college-version Monday Night Football.
“We’ll go out there and do what we do and see what happens, see how it goes,” said Belichick, expressing confidence in his strategy. “I know we have a good plan. I know we can do the right things to help the players improve, help the team improve and put a good product on the field.”
