To start this article off, I'm going to use some vivid imagery and catch
your attention. What if the NFL's second winningest head coach left a
team who was used to competing for titles? For Bill Belichick, his time in
New England had expired. From winning five Super Bowls and twenty
years of success with the GOAT in Tom Brady, a breakup was bound to
happen.
As Belichick interviewed for many NFL head coaching vacancies,
nobody budged. Even with the Dallas Cowboys sputtering midseason,
he was linked for a possible candidate in 2025. It's been a tough year
for a man whose age and football cache ran the final races in New
England. It was time for a change; but how would it happen?
As he was named to be head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels
football team, it was a full circle moment. Returning back to where it all
started as his father was on the Tar Heels staff. Home of the great
Lawrence Taylor, whom he coached while on Bill Parcells' staff with the
New York Giants. Arguably the best defensive player in any era, this
was meant to be.
North Carolina isn't known for its football program; more of a basketball
school under the legendary, undisputed GOAT Michael Jeffery Jordan.
Yes, UNC is known for great basketball legends in MJ, James Worthy
who were coached by the late Dean Smith. Roy Williams is revered as a
legend in Tar Heel basketball as well.
With the firing of former head coach Mack Brown, UNC needed a new
voice and direction. A program which has seen good players come and
go, but not maintain consistency on a yearly basis. In a faltering ACC,
it's the prime opportunity for Belichick to reinvent himself. As rivals
Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State have rebuilt their programs. UNC
needed a man who could ignite a fire into young men. Belichick fits the
bill for what's needed in recruiting.
With NIL and the transfer portal, Belichick will have to work swiftly in
getting players to join him. Yes, the Brady connection helps but today's
college athletes will see the last four seasons in New England post
Brady. Lawrence Taylor can use his cache to a degree but how many
players today know who he is? College football is further along with
analytics and faster offenses. Having a quarterback who can air it out;
while your defense can play hard-nosed bully ball from start to finish.
It's a lot to ask from Belichick as he prepares for a new challenge.
Taking notes and advice from his good friend former Alabama head
coach Nick Saban, who evolved as college football changed over the
years. Today's college athletes are millionaires and the message is
simple: "do your job and be a role model citizen."
Will his old school methods work in college? That's the biggest
challenge for Belichick and his staff. Can they adapt to a pro-style work
schedule and maintain academics to play each week? With a team who
finished 6-6 and very little to work with, 2025 will be trial and error. I'm
not saying they'll be bowl eligible but there will be signs of improvement.
With the national media doubting Belichick's move to college football,
can and will he land another NFL coaching job? If he succeeds and
evolves into modern football, anything is possible. It's going to be a lot
of media paying attention to Chapel Hill, North Carolina Football in
2025.
Stai tuned.
