Bill Belichick was named as the head college football coach at North Carolina on Dec. 11, 2024. However, recent reports have tied the six-time Super Bowl champion to a new job opening in the NFL.
Tar Heels general manager Michael Lombardi says it is a bunch of malarky but history might suggest otherwise!
Tom Brady is a minority owner of the Raiders, who just fired Antonio Pierce. Las Vegas is looking for a new head coach as well as a new quarterback— presumably with the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. There is a blank slate on which to paint a masterpiece.
With that in mind, Brady reportedly reached out to his former coach and presented the idea of a return to the pros. Would Bill Belichick want to coach the Raiders even though he just took over in Chapel Hill?!
According to Lombardi, that is not going to happen.
"Bill Belichick is completely committed to North Carolina..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 9, 2025
That story about him going to the NFL was a complete falsehood and that story had no legs"@mlombardiNFL #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/XRA3pzw5FY
Belichick was back on the recruiting trail in New Jersey on Thursday morning so it seems as though his general manager was telling the truth. These monstrous high school prospects make him look so small.
Great Conversation with the one and only Bill Belichick! Very wise man! @Belichick_B pic.twitter.com/tE2ybw71wT
— Xavier Jackson (@XavierJackson__) January 9, 2025
Regardless of what Belichick’s travel might indicate and what Lombardi said about the head coach’s commitment to North Carolina, history shows that he could change his mind at any moment. It would not be the first time that he flipped his allegiance at the drop of a hat.
Bill Parcells stepped down as head coach of the New York Jets following the 1999 season. He already arranged with the front office to name Belichick as his successor.
However, that hire lasted only one day. Belichick’s introductory press conference instead became a surprise resignation. He delivered a 30-minute speech to explain his decision after writing down his formal note of resignation on a napkin.
Belichick became the next head coach of the New England Patriots shortly thereafter. It was a matter of days, if not hours!
Thus, regardless of what Lombardi said, Bill Belichick could still leave UNC high and dry. That is especially true on/after June 1, when his buyout drops from $10 million to $1 million. Don’t count it out even if it seems highly unlikely.