Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick Showed Interest In Jets HC Job

December 14th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Ben Levine

Before Bill Belichick officially joined the University of North Carolina, the iconic head coach did his due diligence on the impending NFL hiring cycle. Over the past year, reporters and pundits tried to connect Belichick to a number of NFL coaching gigs, and through it all, there seemed to be one consistent sentiment: he would never return to the Jets.

Not so fast, according to Dianna Russini. According to The Athletic reporter, Belichick recently reached out to the Jets organization to express interest in their head coaching job. Brian Costello of the New York Post has confirmed the report, noting that it was Belichick himself who reached out to the Jets.

There were never any formal conversations between the two sides considering the rapid developments with the Tar Heels. Belichick did not speak with Woody Johnson, per Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager, but rather with search committee head (and ex-Jets GM) Mike Tannenbaum. But while Belichick’s camp tested the NFL waters in search for his next coaching gig, it’s shocking that he gave the Jets more than a cursory look.

There’s been tension between the two sides for nearly three decades. Belichick was famously chosen to replace Bill Parcells as the Jets sideline leader, but after only one day in the role, he shocked the NFL world by resigning as “HC of the NYJ.” Belichick was quickly scooped up by the Patriots (who ultimately had to send the Jets a first-round pick), and the head coach proceeded to torment his former franchise over the following years.

Belichick dropped three straight games to the Jets to begin his tenure in New England. After that, the Patriots proceeded to go 38-9 against their division rival (including playoffs), with Belichick earning six Super Bowl rings during that span. The coach has also been publicly critical of Johnson, and he’s carried that rhetoric into his 2024 media role. The Jets were also responsible for launching the 2007 Spygate investigation, a factor that Belichick has always held against the rival (and former protege Eric Mangini). In other words, it would have been a shocking development for the coach to suddenly go crawling back to the organization.

Belichick’s 2000 Jets resignation occurred shortly before Johnson bought the team, with the looming ownership change factoring into Belichick’s desire not to succeed Parcells. Belichick had been Jets DC under Parcells prior to the latter’s succession plan combusting not long after it became official.

On the flip side, if Belichick did return to the NFL, it was assumed he’d be interested in a win-now squad. The Jets were built to contend for a Super Bowl in 2024 before things went off the rail. Belichick has also shown a deep respect for Aaron Rodgers, and with other foundational pieces on both sides of the ball, you could see why any coach would be interested in the Jets job for 2025.

Belichick appears to be committed to UNC for the long haul, so his reported interest in the Jets job would merely be a footnote in his football story. Still, there’s no denying that the pairing would have shocked the NFL world and commanded headlines for much of the offseason.

Bill Belichick Fallout: NFL, NIL, Bears, Kitchens, Lombardi, Falcons, Patriots

December 12th, 2024 at 10:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bill Belichick had a chance to gauge his market last year and certainly did not like the result. Although he had believed he was a true contender for the Falcons job hours before the team’s Raheem Morris hire, some of the animosity he created while in New England may well have shown up during the 2024 coaching carousel’s spin.

Several of the teams who held a coaching vacancy “quickly” dismissed the notion of interviewing Belichick, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reports (subscription required). While the Falcons interviewed Belichick twice — with plenty of fallout coming from that saga — the Chargers, Commanders, Raiders, Panthers, Seahawks and Titans also needed a coach. None interviewed Belichick, leading him to what amounted to a months-long media tour. That is now complete, as Belichick accepted North Carolina’s offer to lead its program.

This obviously proved shocking, in the grand scheme, as it will all but certainly end Belichick’s run as an NFL head coach and keep him 14 wins short of Don Shula‘s all-time record. However, the NFL’s second-winningest coach is now believed to be “disgusted” by what the league has become, according to ESPN.com’s Seth Wickersham, who adds Belichick and his confidants — Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia and ex-Patriots staffer and Browns GM Michael Lombardi among them — began to look to the college level as a possible destination months ago.

Set to turn 73 in April, Belichick did not exactly have the luxury of waiting another year and hoping for more attractive jobs to open up come 2026. And one team with a vacancy already ruled out Belichick, per Howe. This would seemingly mean in addition to the Jets, with that fit — due to mutual feelings — never pointing toward a pursuit. The Bears and Saints need a coach. Belichick and his confidants had viewed the Bears as the most attractive opening thus far, but Wickersham adds Chicago was unlikely to consider the eight-time Super Bowl winner. Belichick’s circle of trust expects the Bears to target an offensive coach, a route that has become quite popular over the past several years.

Indeed, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz adds Belichick believed he would have many options to coach again in the NFL. Teams, however, were not eager to allow him to bring in his various preferred staffers. The Patriots’ post-Tom Brady decline played a significant role in teams’ view of Belichick and willingness to use what is being viewed as an old-school model, and even the interest of having him only operate as a coach — as opposed to a coach/de facto GM — was weak enough that this college jump took place. Belichick NFL interest existed, per Schultz, but it fell short of assuring him a job would await.

The subject of personnel power came up frequently this year regarding Belichick. Although Arthur Blank said Belichick did not ask for full personnel control during his interviews last year, the issue helped impede him. As Belichick undoubtedly would have threatened the power Falcons president Rich McKay and GM Terry Fontenot have, it is believed Blank was steered away from his initial goal of hiring the 24-year Patriots HC. Other owners were also skeptical, per Wickersham, of Belichick not throwing his weight around. Additionally, Wickersham indicates Fontenot discussing the Falcons’ draft strategies, from a position of knowledge, annoyed Belichick.

The Patriots had attempted to curb some of Belichick’s power around the 2021 draft, Howe adds, but that effort effectively fell apart in 2022. Belichick had lieutenants like Scott Pioli and Nick Caserio during his historically successful New England run, but both had left — Pioli in 2009, leading to more Belichick power, and Caserio in 2021. The latter’s departure coincided with the above-referenced Patriots effort to work more collaboratively. Robert Kraft is believed to have played a lead role in Belichick’s market cooling this offseason, and the owner later admitted he fired his longtime coach — rather than the party line of a mutual parting being reality.

At North Carolina, Belichick will have the kind of control he held in New England. While some big coaching names on the football and basketball sides have left their respective sports due to the chaos the transfer portal and NIL landscape have caused, Wickersham adds Belichick views the current college setup as “more transactional and less relational,” pointing to a coach carrying decades of experience in the pros being well equipped to step down and navigate the destabilized college level. Belichick said Thursday (via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo) coaches have reached out to him about NFL-inspired rule changes.

Belichick said he had always hoped to coach in college. This will still be one of the more interesting transitions in coaching history, as he had coached in the NFL only and had done so for 49 consecutive seasons. Belichick’s father, Steve, coached at Navy for more than 30 years and was a North Carolina assistant in the mid-1950s. Signing a five-year contract, Bill Belichick said is not planning to use the Tar Heels as a springboard back to the NFL. That would be more likely to take place with a younger coach, but with Bruce Arians (at 66) being the oldest NFL HC ever hired, Belichick had seen his chances dwindle at the sport’s top level.

Lombardi, who worked with Belichick in Cleveland and New England, is joining his longtime colleague as North Carolina’s GM. Schools are adding these positions with more frequency as the sport’s compensation model has radically changed. (Andrew Luck is now Stanford’s GM.) Lombardi spent a year as Browns GM, working alongside Joe Banner back with the Browns in 2013, and joined the Patriots in 2014. He has not held a position since, becoming a regular media presence.

Freddie Kitchens, who is most famous for his Browns one-and-done as head coach in 2019, had served as North Carolina’s interim coach post-Mack Brown. Belichick announced he is retaining the former NFL staffer. It would not surprise to see McDaniels, Patricia and Joe Judge join their former boss as well, though it is not known which former Patriots staffers are coming. Steve and Brian Belichick also will undoubtedly be in play to rejoin their father; Steve is the Washington Huskies’ DC, while Brian stayed on under Jerod Mayo with the Pats.

Belichick will be celebrated as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. His late New England decline notwithstanding, his six Super Bowl wins as a head coach lead the field by two. In the salary cap era, Belichick’s six titles are three more than anyone else. He will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2026, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. That will result in some other decorated coaches who have been waiting to be pushed down the list.

Bill Belichick’s UNC Contract Details Emerge

December 12th, 2024 at 9:48pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Bill Belichick shocked the football world when he accepted a position as the head coach of the University of North Carolina’s football program.

As a state employee at a public university, Belichick’s contract is available in the public record, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. It includes $10MM per year – $1MM in base salary and $9MM in “supplemental income” – for a period of five years, the first three of which are guaranteed. That translates to a five-year, $50MM contract with $30MM guaranteed, a considerable drop from the $25MM per year Belichick was rumored to earn at the end of his tenure with the Patriots.

Belichick can also receive up to $3.5MM per year in bonuses tied to the Tar Heels’ regular season record, appearances and victories in the ACC Championship, bowl games, and the College Football Playoffs, and placement in the final CFP poll of the season. Bonus incentives also include Coach of the Year awards and the team’s academic performance.

The contract also includes a buyout that Belichick can exercise for $10MM, which drops to $1MM after June 1, 2025. That particular language is meant to dissuade the longtime NFL coach from returning to the pros during this offseason’s hiring cycle.

Belichick’s demands to join the Tar Heels also included additional funding for his staff, which is reflected in the deal. He will have $10MM for assistant coaches, $1MM for strength staff, $5.3MM for support staff (including a new general manager), and an additional $13MM as “revenue sharing,” per USA Today’s Steve Birkowitz.

Belichick also received a number of personal considerations in his contract, including $100k in annual expenses, membership at Chapel Hill Country Club, and the right to retain his “outside income opportunities.” That includes his appearances on the Manningcast and The Pat McAfee Show, per The News & Observer’s Andrew Carter. Not only will Belichick continue his presence in football media, he’ll now bring additional visibility to his new football program.

The contract reflects Belichick’s desire for complete, Patriots-like control over the Tar Heels’ football program, as well as North Carolina’s concern that Belichick could jump ship back to the NFL if the opportunity arises. He received little interest from the league this past offseason and was not expected to be a top candidate in 2025. Belichick could still attempt an NFL comeback after the 2025 season, but he will be 73 at that point. A return to the NFL at that age would be unprecedented; the oldest hire in history was Bruce Arians at 66 years old in 2019, and Andy Reid is the oldest current coach at the same age.

For now, Belichick seems focused on his new job at the school where his father once coached. He will look to forge a new legacy at North Carolina and cement his status as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport.

Bill Belichick To Become UNC Head Coach

December 11th, 2024 at 10:38pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is headed to the University of North Carolina to take over as head coach of the Tar Heels’ football program, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Belichick’s contract was initially reported to be worth $30MM over three years, per The Athletic’s Ralph Russo and FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, but CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero later reported that Belichick will be signing a five-year deal. UNC’s Board of Trustees is expected to officially approve the deal on Thursday, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

Initial reports of Belichick’s interest in the UNC head coaching gig emerged last week, though he remained linked to several NFL jobs as well. A second interview in Chapel Hill indicated that Belichick was serious about coaching at the college level and was not using the interest from the Tar Heels as leverage to get back into the NFL. Extensive negotiations involved Belichick’s salary, a job for his son (and current University of Washington defensive coordinator) Steve Belichick, and UNC’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and recruitment strategy.

Bill Belichick appears to have gotten his way when it comes to funding for recruitment. The Tar Heels are expected to quintuple their NIL package for football from $4MM to $20MM, per USA Today’s Matt Hayes. UNC is also expected to hire as many as 30 additional staff members, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.

Belichick was not expected to garner much interest from the NFL during this year’s hiring cycle, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Rather than wait for more vacancies to open up, Belichick opted to take his talents to the college level, likely giving up his career-long pursuit of Don Shula‘s NFL-record 347 wins. The ex-Patriots coach will turn 73 next April, so a return to the pros would run counter to the league’s recent trend of hiring younger first-time head coaches. Belichick’s Patriots run ended with the future Hall of Fame HC at 333 wins, second all time.

Belichick will replace longtime UNC head coach Mack Brown, the winningest coach in program history, who was fired at the end of November. The Tar Heels compiled a 44-33 under Brown since 2019 – his second stint in Chapel Hill – but have gone 1-4 in bowl games in that span.

Had the Tar Heels not met Belichick’s demands, UNC was expected to offer its head coaching job to Browns passing game specialist and tight ends coach Tommy Rees, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Like Belichick, Rees went through two interviews with the Tar Heels and even received support from former Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

Belichick’s decision sent shockwaves through the NFL’s winter meetings in Dallas, according to ESPN’s Diana Russini. Any team that was considering him as a head coach candidate will have to look elsewhere in the coming months. Though Belichick’s last four seasons in New England only yielded a 29-38 record, his status as a legendary football coach will bring excitement and legitimacy to the Tar Heels’ football program.

Steve Belichick Role Part Of Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Negotiations

December 11th, 2024 at 2:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bill Belichick may well be close to make a radical career change. He remains in discussions with the University of North Carolina about succeeding Mack Brown as head coach. This would take the NFL’s second-winningest coach out of the mix for jobs in 2025 and maybe henceforth.

The sides are still negotiating, however, with a few issues lingering. A role for current Washington DC Steve Belichick is among the matters being discussed, according to ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel and Chris Low. Steve Belichick worked with his father for many years in New England. While Brian Belichick stayed on under Jerod Mayo, Steve left to run the Huskies’ defense.

We heard Tuesday that Bill Belichick’s salary and the Tar Heels’ NIL situation were among the other issues holding up a deal. The Tar Heels have made an offer. It would stand to reason Belichick does not view his chances of landing another NFL job as particularly great; otherwise, these North Carolina talks probably would not have progressed to this point. But the all-time coaching great was surprised when little interest emerged beyond the Falcons’ pursuit this offseason. He is close to preempting any NFL talks this time around.

North Carolina is working to close this deal, Thamel and Low report, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter adding the six-time Super Bowl-winning HC met with university officials during a five-hour meeting Sunday. Another development that points to this actually happening: Belichick has been contacting potential staff members for days. While the likes of Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia and Joe Judge have been mentioned as being ready to follow their former Patriots boss, it is unclear if all would do so for a college job.

Steve Belichick, 37, coached on his father’s Patriots staff from 2012-23. While obviously possessing an advantage due to his father’s status, Steve worked his way up to the role of defensive play-caller late in his New England tenure. Mayo offered him the chance to stay in New England, but the Washington gig became the path. The Huskies ranked 46th in scoring defense this season, improving in that area (from 56th in their national championship game season) despite their first Big Ten season at 6-6.

Considering how much interest North Carolina has shown in what would be a fascinating hire, it would surprise if the school stood in the way of Steve Belichick being a major part of the program. Several former Patriots staffers would likely be en route to Chapel Hill. Now, if Bill is mandating his son be named his successor, that is a different matter. But a deal that would allow Belichick full control — something that would not be available if another NFL HC job became a legitimate possibility — certainly appears close.

This would take him out of NFL consideration, but while Bill Belichick said he would be fine staying in the media, these negotiations do not reflect that statement. At 72, Belichick appears adamant about coaching again in 2025 — to the point he is willing to enter college football at one of the most unstable points in its history.

Bill Belichick Weighing North Carolina Offer

December 10th, 2024 at 10:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bill Belichick‘s avenue back to the NFL may close soon. Although it is still believed the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach’s preference is a return to the league, he looks to have a path available that take him away from that pursuit.

The North Carolina talks have reached a place where it is believed an offer is out to Belichick, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Ralph Russo and Brendan Marks report. This is not a done deal, but the sides are negotiating. That said, The Athletic reports the parties are apart on multiple key terms. Belichick interviewed twice with Tar Heels representatives recently; the school is looking to replace Mack Brown, who served as the program’s HC on two occasions.

The ACC school hopes to have Belichick onboard soon, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, who notes the ball should be considered in the coach’s court. This would be Belichick’s first college coaching position. While his father spent decades as a college coach — including a three-year span with the Tar Heels in the mid-1950s — this would be a radical move considering the timing and his stature within the NFL.

Belichick, 72, moving to college now would effectively close the book on his long-held push to break Don Shula‘s career wins record. At 333, Belichick is 14 victories away. The longtime Patriots leader, though, was surprised by the lack of interest that came after his New England ouster this year. The Falcons interviewed him twice, while the Commanders spoke with him in a non-official interview. The other HC-seeking teams steered clear, potentially providing a preview of what could happen in 2025. Rather than risk being shut out again at an advanced age, Belichick has secured a chance to coach again — albeit in college at a rather interesting time for that level.

The transfer portal, conference shifts and an evolving compensation setup have injected chaos into the college game, and Jones adds some believe NIL is a factor in the Belichick talks. Salary is an issue as well. The Tar Heels had Brown on a salary outside the top 40 among Division I-FBS coaches. Brown had been tied to a deal paying roughly $5MM per year. Belichick was believed to be making more than $20MM on average with the Patriots.

Connections to the Cowboys, Giants and Jaguars have surfaced over the past few months, but none of those jobs are available. These North Carolina talks could certainly double as an effort to command attention from those teams, though the negotiations being this far down the road may pass the point of a leverage play. Considering Belichick’s age, however, a North Carolina deal now would probably prevent him from becoming an NFL HC again. No team has hired a head coach beyond age 66; Belichick will turn 73 in April.

This year brought major changes to Belichick, who had been an NFL HC or assistant in every previous season since 1975. He has since held various media roles, including regular spots on ESPN’s Manningcast and the CW’s Inside the NFL. In addition to indicating during a Pat McAfee Show appearance he would use the Tar Heel program as a way to prepare qualified players for their NFL futures, Belichick said he is also open to remaining a media presence. Though, that may not even be Plan B for the legendary leader at this point.

“I’m open to a number of thoughts,” Belichick said (h/t the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed) Sirius XM’s Let’s Go. “I’ve had an interesting year this year working in somewhat of an analytical and media role. Football at either the college or the professional level does interest me and I would explore those opportunities as well and ultimately see what everybody has to offer and what would be the best fit for me and potentially another organization. Or it could be in the media.”

Although it is widely believed higher-ups in the Falcons organization moved Arthur Blank off his initial goal of hiring Belichick this year, the team also passed on a short-term Belichick partnership in hopes Raheem Morris would be around longer. While Belichick is not believed to be seeking the kind of autonomy he had in New England, the age hurdle will come up for however much longer he attempts tot land another NFL gig. Both the 49ers and Rams pursued him for DC roles, but Belichick instead chose the media path while determining his next move.

A North Carolina landing would provide Patriots-like autonomy, albeit on a competitive tier with many moving parts and one without a level playing field. We will soon find out if arguably the greatest coach in NFL history will, largely due to a lack of interest around the league, make one of the most surprising moves in coaching history.

Bill Belichick-UNC Talks Ongoing; HC Has Not Received Interest For NFL Vacancies

December 9th, 2024 at 10:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

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.

Bill Belichick Takes Second North Carolina HC Interview; Jets Off Radar

December 8th, 2024 at 12:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

DECEMBER 8: Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) hears that Belichick’s interest in the UNC job is real, and that if he is offered the gig, he will accept it. Russini says that while Belichick is indeed motivated by breaking Shula’s record, that pursuit is not the “be-all, end-all.” She adds that Belichick was “turned off” by the lack of attention he received in this past offseason’s coaching cycle, and that he wants to run a football program without interference (it is unclear whether that contradicts earlier reports suggesting that Belichick is not necessarily seeking full control of football operations at his next stop).

However, there is still plenty of skepticism surrounding Belichick’s willingness to join the college ranks. Former and current Belichick associates tell Mark Maske of the Washington Post that the 72-year-old is focused on a return to the NFL, and that his conversations with UNC are intended to send a message to NFL front offices that he will have options and that there needs to be a sense of urgency about hiring him.

DECEMBER 6: The prospect of Bill Belichick taking an initial plunge into the college ranks in his 70s has generated understandable skepticism in NFL circles, as it has been widely reported the high-profile coaching free agent wants to return to the NFL. If his North Carolina connection is a bluff, however, it is fairly far down the runway.

Belichick met with Tar Heels reps a second time about their newly vacant HC position, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports, indicating this summit took place Thursday in Manhattan. Now holding a few media gigs, Belichick looks to be making it clear he wants to return to coaching next year — and a college debut may actually be in the cards, as farfetched as it sounds.

The six-time Super Bowl-winning HC does not want to be left out of a job during the upcoming cycle, Jones adds. But the Tar Heels’ timeline probably does not align with Belichick’s. The ACC program wants to have a Mack Brown successor in place early next week, Jones adds.

NFL teams who have not yet fired coaches cannot begin interviewing candidates on other staffs until after the wild-card round. Belichick can begin interviewing early, but teams must comply with the Rooney Rule and will naturally be interested in conducting several interviews. That cannot realistically happen until mid-January. If Belichick is a serious candidate for the North Carolina gig, he would need to bypass the 2025 NFL carousel.

Set to turn 73 in April, Belichick is not a guarantee to be on multiple additional NFL carousels. As mentioned several times in this space, no team has hired a coach older than 66 (Bruce Arians). Age undoubtedly factored into the lack of interest in Belichick this year, with the Falcons passing on a short-term partnership with the legendary coach. No other team conducted an official interview. That could well be the reason Belichick is open to the college game, even as the Division I-FBS level has seen massive changes over the past few years.

Belichick passing on this NFL cycle threatens to end his chances of breaking Don Shula‘s long-held career wins record. At 333 wins between the regular season and playoffs, Belichick is 14 shy of Shula. The former Patriots and Browns HC also wants to keep the record down the road, per Jones. Andy Reid‘s Kansas City success could threaten that. Reid, 66, just signed a five-year Chiefs extension and sits on 295 career wins. The prospect of Patrick Mahomes‘ current coach eventually moving into Shula range exists, even as Reid has been tied to seemingly annual retirement reports. His latest extension, one that made him the league’s highest-paid HC, should cool those rumors for a while.

Former Cardinals HC Steve Wilks is also a candidate for the job, according to Jones. Fired after one season as 49ers DC, Wilks has not been a head coach since his 2018 Cardinals one-and-done — a stint that prompted him to join Brian Flores‘ class-action discrimination suit. Wilks also has a recent past in the college ranks, being Missouri’s defensive coordinator in 2021, and an extensive past in North Carolina. The former Panthers interim HC is a North Carolina native who has spent much of his career in Charlotte.

As for Belichick’s NFL prospects, Jones confirms a recent report that indicated some of his former lieutenants — including longtime OC Josh McDaniels — are ready to rejoin him if he lands another NFL job. The Jaguars continue to come up for the free agent coach, with Jones adding Belichick’s smoothest path to having full control over a football operation again would stand to come with a Jacksonville franchise seemingly ready to reboot.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Belichick did not ask to run Atlanta’s football ops, and Jones reinforces the notion Belichick — who received steady criticism for his Patriots GM work late in that tenure — is not seeking full control. The Jags would offer Belichick a lower-profile media market and a roster that features an entrenched young quarterback, in 25-year-old Trevor Lawrence. A locked-in QB, albeit one that has been inconsistent, would seemingly appeal to a coach working on a shorter-term timetable due to his age. If Belichick does enter serious negotiations with the Jaguars, it is not expected he would work with GM Trent Baalke, who is on the hot seat.

Regardless of how the coaching landscape shakes out in the NFL early next year, Jones adds Belichick will not consider the Jets. The ex-Jets DC who famously resigned from his HC post in early 2000, leading to a contentious Jets-Patriots trade, is no fan of Woody Johnson and has taken shots at the organization — one responsible for launching the 2007 Spygate investigation.

Belichick-Jags connections have been coming up since September, and it appears this prospect remains on the radar. He has also been tied to the Giants and Cowboys, jobs that are also not yet available. As such, it still seems highly unlikely Belichick would punt on a path back to the NFL by taking a college job so early. Though, until the Tar Heels hire a coach, that avenue is still in play.

Rory Parks contributed to this post.

Bill Belichick Interviewed For North Carolina HC Job; Latest On NFL Interest

December 5th, 2024 at 10:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

This season marked Bill Belichick‘s first out of the NFL since 1974. The legendary HC-turned-media mainstay has only served as a full-time coach in the NFL ranks, moving from assistant positions in Baltimore, Detroit, Denver and New York to his two HC roles (Cleveland, New England). It is widely known the recently fired Patriots leader is eyeing a jump back into the league.

An unusual development may well have taken place in the meantime. Belichick interviewed for the North Carolina head coaching job, according to 247Sports.com’s Grant Hughes. Considering the instability in the college ranks right now, along with Belichick’s exclusive ties to the NFL over a near-five-decade span, it would be borderline shocking if he made his coaching return to that level. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport confirms the North Carolina meeting.

Discussions have occurred over a several-day period, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer and Pat Forde report. Belichick is the son of a longtime college coach. His father, Steve, was an assistant at Navy for 34 years. Steve Belichick also spent three seasons (1953-55) as an assistant at North Carolina. While the NFL lifer bowing out of a second NFL derby to coach the Tar Heels 70 years after his father did would be unexpected, it is a key coaching storyline to monitor right now. Belichick indeed still would likely prefer the pros, per Breer, though he has done extensive research on the current college game.

Belichick, 72, has been tied to the Giants and Cowboys and has connections to Jaguars ownership, further clouding Trent Baalke‘s Jacksonville future. All three jobs may soon be available, and while Belichick has an advantage on candidates employed by teams presently, he would need to wait on those three jobs. The Bears, Jets and Saints are the only teams that can interview Belichick now.

Coaches still on staff elsewhere must wait until after the wild-card round to interview, while unattached candidates can start early. Though, Belichick is almost definitely not returning to the Jets due to a long-adversarial relationship. Unless the Bears and Saints show interest, Belichick will need to wait until the offseason carousel starts.

North Carolina fired its two-time HC Mack Brown recently, and Steelers OC Arthur Smith came up as a target. Smith rebuffed Tar Heels interest, as a potential second chance as an NFL leader awaits. Belichick taking the meeting is certainly interesting, and he would obviously raise the ACC program’s profile. That said, Belichick’s age and the unstable landscape of Division I sports right now stand to generate roadblocks. The Tar Heels have been open to senior-citizen HCs, hiring Brown back at age 67 in 2018. The Tar Heels have produced one 10-win season over the past 27 years.

Belichick’s 20-plus-year tenure as a de facto GM would appeal to schools in the NIL era, in addition to his obvious coaching resume’s draw, though the transfer portal and evolving compensation setup have led high-profile coaches in both football and basketball out. Boston College’s Jeff Hafley was among them, leaving an ACC HC gig for the Packers’ DC post (Brown also expressed frustration with the current state of college sports). The world’s highest-profile football coach stepping in would be rather strange. Indeed, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz adds some in the NFL believe Belichick is using North Carolina in an effort to push teams to act faster and make it known he wants back into the league in 2025.

Any college commitment would also drain time from Belichick’s quest to break Don Shula‘s career wins record. At 333, Belichick sits 14 behind Shula’s mark. The NFL also brings a potential age barrier, one that impacted Belichick’s candidacy this year. No team has hired a head coach older than 66; Belichick will turn 73 in April. The Falcons viewing Belichick as a short-term option prompted them to steer clear, though myriad other factors were also behind Atlanta’s decision.

The Raiders job also may open soon, creating a fascinating what-if about now-part-owner Tom Brady overseeing his former coach. Mark Davis pulling the plug so quickly on longtime Belichick lieutenant Josh McDaniels likely makes that a nonstarter, and ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano indeed does not see a fit there if the Silver and Black boot Antonio Pierce soon.

The Cowboys continue to come up as a potential Belichick destination, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who adds the Buccaneers have as well. Tampa Bay passed on firing Todd Bowles last year, as the third-year HC ultimately rallied to lead the team to the divisional round. The Bucs are 6-6, putting Bowles on shaky ground once again. Though, they play in the NFL’s worst division and could certainly claim a playoff spot for a fifth straight year. Mike McCarthy is wrapping up a five-year contract, though the prospect of Jerry Jones keeping his embattled HC — one Dak Prescott strongly endorsed this week — has also surfaced.

Belichick was believed to be willing to cede some power if hired by the Falcons, with Arthur Blank confirming the coach did not demand a de facto GM role during his interviews. But meshing with Dallas’ long-running honcho, who obviously plays the lead role in Cowboys personnel moves, continues to loom as a potential dealbreaker for both parties. Barring an unexpected move into the college ranks, Belichick connections to teams figure to pick up again soon.

Bears To Prioritize Leadership Ability In Next HC; GM Ryan Poles Expected To Be Retained

December 1st, 2024 at 10:08pm CST by Rory Parks

The Bears will be in the market for a new head coach this offseason, and per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the club believes its vacancy is the most attractive one that will be available. With a promising rookie-contract quarterback in Caleb Williams and a bevy of other offensive talent, over $80MM in projected salary cap space, and a new stadium project in the offing, Chicago is hopeful it will be able to land the candidate of its choice.

According to Jones, the Bears hope to hire a “leader of men” type of head coach. In other words, the candidate’s status as an offensive or defensive savant will not be as much of a priority as that person’s mental toughness and leadership abilities. The successes of Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh and Dan Campbell in Detroit have underscored the importance of those qualities, and recent HC hirees Raheem Morris, Dan Quinn, Jerod Mayo, and Jim Harbaugh also fit the “leader of men” mold (although those coaches, like almost all coaches, also offer an offensive or defensive background).

Scott Bair of the Marquee Sports Network agrees that leadership skills, along with in-game management prowess, are traits the Bears will be seeking in their next HC. However, Bair does believe that a brilliant offensive mind, or someone that can bring such a mind on board, will also be a prerequisite, which jibes with earlier reports on the matter. He names Mike Vrabel, Ben Johnson, Kliff Kingsbury, Aaron Glenn, and Joe Brady as external HC candidates, while Jones adds Brian Flores and Bill Belichick as possible targets. As reported previously, interim head coach Thomas Brown will also have a chance at the permanent gig.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) acknowledges that the Bears’ opening will be coveted, and he also believes that Kingsbury will be under consideration. Of course, the team interviewed the former Cardinals’ HC this past offseason for its offensive coordinator post, although it was reported that the summit was really more of an intel-gathering session on Williams, whom Kingsbury coached at USC and whom the Bears were preparing to select with the No. 1 overall pick of this year’s draft. Naturally, the Kingsbury-Williams connection will drive a great deal of Kingsbury-Chicago speculation during the upcoming cycle.

Johnson, meanwhile, will again be one of the hottest candidates on the market, and he is expected to remain very selective about his next destination. On that note, ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously said that Johnson could opt to steer clear of the Bears due to perceived organizational dysfunction, although Schefter may have changed his stance. During his appearance on Sunday NFL Countdown today, Schefter said that Johnson might indeed have some interest in the Chicago job (video link).

Jones and Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (video link) also see Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman as a dark horse candidate for the Bears’ HC post. Freeman, who was actually drafted by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2009 draft, has led the Fighting Irish to an 11-1 record and a likely spot in the College Football Playoff field in his first year at the helm. Freeman was recently named as one of the college coaches expected to receive NFL HC interest in 2025.

Per Jones, it is unclear who will make the final decision on the club’s next HC. Of course, owner George McCaskey will have considerable input, but team president Kevin Warren will be heavily involved as well. One way or another, though, GM Ryan Poles’ job is safe, and he will be a part of the search.

There were some recent rumblings that Poles could be handed his walking papers at season’s end, but prior reports indicated that Poles and Warren are aligned in their vision for the team, and both Jones and Rapoport report that the GM – who was originally hired just two days before the recently-dismissed Matt Eberflus – will be retained. Interestingly, Rapoport says that Poles will “assist” Warren in running the search, which would seem to corroborate the league-wide perception that Warren is the one making the calls.

Load More Posts