Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Interest Reportedly Has Strings Attached

Bill Belichick’s surprising interest in becoming the head football coach at North Carolina reportedly is “genuine” even though he’s never coached in the college ranks.

But it appears the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach with the New England Patriots would bring some friends along with him if he took the job.

According to The Guardian’s Ollie Connolly, Belichick’s negotiations, which reportedly included a second meeting with North Carolina brass Thursday in New York, comes with string attached that would promise some closest to him jobs on the coaching staff.

“Per sources, I’m told Bill Belichick’s negotiations with North Carolina include a guarantee that Stephen Belichick will be named the school’s head coach in waiting. UNC is open to that guarantee,” Connolly reported. “Discussions are not a bid to gain leverage for NFL offers and BB is open to the move.

“Any potential staff would include Matt Patricia, Ben McDaniels (Texans passing game coordinator and brother of Josh McDaniels) as well as a sitting college GM who would handle general operations — NIL, recruiting, etc.”

Steve Belichick, who served on his father’s staff with the Patriots in various roles for over a decade, left New England this past offseason to take a job as Washington’s defensive coordinator.

Connolly noted that Steve Belichick has received interest from other schools about potential head coaching jobs, but perhaps the lure of working with his father again would be too hard to pass up.

It’s no surprise Patricia is attached to Bill Belichick in this situation. Belichick’s close with the Patricia — the two currently work together on Belichick’s “Coach” podcast — and even handed the predominately defensive coach the reigns of New England’s offense in 2022. Patricia spent the 2023 season with the Philadelphia Eagles but like Belichick, has been out of football this year.

Belichick certainly could see have his eye on NFL openings, but it’s unclear if any team would let Belichick take total control like North Carolina seems willingly to do. And that’s a big edge for the Tar Heels.

“Belichick’s preference, from what I’m told, remains a return to the NFL,” Connolly wrote. “But the landscape is already considered thin based on feedback for the league. Moving to college with a guarantee for his son will overrule waiting on the NFL carousel.”