The 2025 NFL head coaching cycle has not begun, but Bill Belichick‘s name remains one to watch prior to the end of the campaign. The six-time Super Bowl winning coach continues to be connected to the vacancy at North Carolina. 
Despite the fact Belichick has not held a full-time role in the college ranks during his career, the 72-year-old could find himself leading the Tar Heels in the near future. A second interview between the parties took place last week, and with the NCAA transfer portal opening today it would not come as a surprise if the school made a decision in the near future. Indeed, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports clarity on Belichick’s standing (at least with respect to the UNC opening) should be coming soon.
While the depth of discussions is not certain, ESPN’s Pete Thamel adds they have gone on between North Carolina and Belichick “for an extended period of time.” Recent reports have noted Belichick’s preference would be to return to the NFL ranks on his next job, which could leave his courtship with UNC as a means of establishing leverage from pro teams in need of a new coach. The 2024 hiring cycle was quiet for the longtime Patriots coach, however, with the Falcons being the only team to interview him.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes Belichick was likely caught off guard by the lack of a market which was in place for him last winter, something which set him up to spend the ongoing season in a number of media roles. A return to the sidelines in some capacity would come as no surprise, but that will depend in no small part on the interest NFL teams show in him this time around. The Jets are, expectedly, not believed to be an option should Belichick take a pro gig; teams like the Jaguars, Cowboys and Giants have been floated as possibilities, but none of them currently have an opening.
The Saints and Bears have made in-season coaching moves, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports neither of them have reached out at this point. Notably, he adds no teams have made contact about a potential hire (something which is possible at any time since Belichick is not under contract with another organization). Florio reports that Belichick is “very surprised” by the fact he has not received interest so far.
More HC openings will no doubt be created by Black Monday following the conclusion of the NFL regular season. By the time that happens, the Tar Heels will no doubt have their next coach in place, and Belichick remains a candidate for that posting. Should he fail to receive an offer for the job (or decline to take it), it will be interesting to see if an NFL market is generated.
NIL and the portal drove Saban nuts enough to retire. I can’t imagine Bill would like the system any better.
That is because college coaches have no clue how to run a salary cap and free agency. Satan was a failed NFL coach and this was part of that.
I don’t think Bill will go college but the signing of players wouldn’t be an issue. He just doesn’t gave the personality to be around kids.
“He just doesn’t gave the personality to be around kids.”
I don’t know about that. Have you seen his girlfriend?
Yeah I know he is potentially slamming a 20yr old but unless he is Sandusky. The football players get nothing. An we all know those types of relationships aren’t love based.
“satan” lmao
Many know how to run a salary cap and free agency, problem is the pros sign a guy from years and build accordingly, but colleges get a guy for a season and then go go back into the portal and chase dollars. Coaches can recruit, but don’t want to have to re-recruit their own kids every semester.
If this isn’t a feint or bluff to make some NFL teams reach out, it’s a perplexing idea.
I can understand wanting a challenge. However, attempting to make UNC relevant while learning an entirely new job in your mid-70s seems to be a bridge too far. I’m sure if he got the gig, North Carolina alumni would pump an obscene amount of money into their NIL account. He could probably recruit and pay for an entirely new roster.
I guess he would either prove to be a genius, or he’s going to implode due to arrogance and hubris.
I’ll give him this much: he’s not afraid.
It’s happening
UNC wasn’t invited to the Fenway Bowl for no reason.
And you don’t take a second interview if you’re not serious about the job
“Florio reports that Belichick is “very surprised” by the fact he has not received interest so far”.
Teams are interested in progressive thinking coaches. Bill is convinced that getting the old gang together and pretending it’s still 2004 will be his ticket to more championships. There isn’t going to be a strong market for someone clinging to those types of delusions.
Teams are interested in winning and this guys has done it more than anyone else. “Progressive minded” means nothing, it’s winning minded. No one was gonna win with Mac Jones in the NFL. Bill can still go out and win NFL games if he has a decent roster.
Agreed. How’s all that innovation working out for the Bengals and Rams this year?
And I named those 2 coaches because they’re the only ones who qualify as progressive minded innovated coaches.
Atlanta 100% would’ve been better off with Bill .
This guy hasn’t won squat without Tom Brady as his qb. With him, Bill’s a “genius”! Without him he’s a mid-tier hack
The Patriots would be like 7-6 right now if they kept Bill B
Can’t have it both ways.. new innovative coach in New England has made them way worse
Being “progressive minded” is essential to success in any business. Look at Blackberry. At one time they had a whopping 60% of the cell phone market. They convinced themselves they were so good that they didn’t need to invest money on innovation. In just a few short years Apple came along and became dominant in that market because of their “innovations”. Blackberry never recovered from their arrogant mistake.
Do you ever make any sense?
College is Plan B. Belichick just wants to get back in the saddle. Bengals would be the perfect fit. Just gotta fix the D….
I doubt BB would be too excited about going to an organization (Bengals) with the reputation of never spending a dollar more than it has to.
Hasn’t received interest on NFL openings. While there are 3 HC vacancies, it would be highly unusual to hire the full time replacement prior to the conclusion of the season. That Bill is not a Rooney Rule candidate makes this even less likely.
There will likely be several additional openings by January 7th.
Is that where his girlfriend is going to school?
I get this from Belichick’s side; it is an opportunity to coach again while simultaneously landing his son a future head coaching job. I don’t think he has the right demeanor for a college head coaching job, but we’ll see.
What I can’t understand is what UNC is thinking here, beyond the name. I don’t think it’s going to be the draw for top college recruits that they may think it will be. There are other programs that are either going to be more prestigious and/or fun to play for. They could be banking on recruits and their parents seeing it as an opportunity to be more pro ready coming out, having played for Bill. If I was a parent though, I’d have serious reservations about that though given I wouldn’t be confident that Belichick hasn’t lost his fastball.