According to multiple reports, Bill Belichick has interviewed for the vacant North Carolina head coaching job. This is an unexpected twist as Belichick attempts to get back into coaching in 2025. Despite the unforeseen development, it's difficult to imagine him actually taking the North Carolina gig.
The Tar Heels are in the market for a new coach after dismissing Mack Brown. This was Brown's second stint in Chapel Hill. This go-around lasted five campaigns (2019-24) and ended acrimoniously. North Carolina finished 6-6 and is casting a wide net, having also spoken with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator (and program alum) Arthur Smith.
Belichick certainly qualifies as an unexpected "candidate." The six-time Super Bowl winner has never coached within the college ranks. Belichick got his start in coaching with the Baltimore Colts in 1975 and has remained in the pro ranks since. It's difficult to envision the 72-year-old leader making such a drastic change at this point, particularly for a program that had the third-worst conference record in the ACC this season and appears nowhere near prepared to compete for titles.
More about Bill Belichick having discussions with North Carolina about the Tar Heels’ head-coaching job, as @InsideCarolina first reported.https://t.co/dlN4t10RRU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 6, 2024
Instead, it's likelier that interviewing with North Carolina was Belichick's shrewd public relations move intended to send a clear message to prospective destinations. He's extremely interested in returning to the sidelines in 2025, and he's willing to weigh outside-the-box options in order to kick-start interest in his services. Belichick is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring his name is being floated.
The New England Patriots parted with Belichick last offseason after a historic 24-year run that ended with a 4-13 disastrous campaign in 2023. Belichick's availability in the coaching market wasn't met with the splendor he expected. The Atlanta Falcons were the lone team he interviewed with, and that job went to Raheem Morris.
With just weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, three jobs have already become available. The New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears made in-season moves to dismiss their respective head coaches. It's difficult to envision Belichick landing with any of those organizations. Belichick has made his disdain for the Jets public, the Saints are in salary cap hell, and the Bears are traditionally known for being frugal.
Additional vacancies will reveal themselves in January, with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders potentially qualifying as realistic landing spots for Belichick. He possesses ties to both franchises, through Trent Baalke in Jacksonville, and Tom Brady in Vegas.
Belichick is expected to face stiff competition from other head coaching candidates this cycle though. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel are expected to sit atop many coaching wishlists. Belichick is likely to trail them in popularity, and other candidates like Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Minnesota Vikings DC Brian Flores should emerge.
Belichick craves an opportunity to return to an NFL sideline. This coming cycle could realistically represent his last-ditch chance to revive his head coaching career. Interviewing with North Carolina was a by-design PR move to increase his stock. Belichick won't be coaching the Tar Heels in 2025. It stinks of desperation, as he's planning to do everything within his power to keep his candidacy in the public spotlight.
