Since legendary coach Bill Belichick took over the North Carolina Tar Heels, he’s made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
No matter how the team performs on the field, his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, seems to draw more attention than the program itself. Her involvement with the team has sparked plenty of backlash, but the question remains: is she still allowed on the sideline?
Is Jordon Hudson Still Welcome on the Tar Heels’ Sideline?
Back in April, about five months after taking over as North Carolina’s head coach, Belichick sat down for an interview with “CBS Sunday Morning.” During the conversation, Hudson stepped in and stopped him from answering specific questions, raising concerns about how much influence she might have on the program.
Shortly after that interview, Pablo Torre, host of “Pablo Torre Finds Out”, reported that North Carolina had banned Hudson from the football facility. The claim quickly gained attention, but ESPN and the University pushed back, reporting that she was still welcome within the program.
Stories about Hudson’s involvement quieted as the offseason went on, but once the season began, she was back in the spotlight. She was spotted on the sideline before North Carolina’s opener against TCU and was later watching the game from a suite.
That wasn’t surprising, given her relationship with the Tar Heels’ head coach, and many expected her to attend.
However, things took a turn in Week 4 against UCF. Before kickoff, while the team was warming up, Hudson was seen talking with Belichick on the sideline, and his attention appeared focused entirely on her rather than his players.
North Carolina went on to lose 34-9, leaving many questioning Belichick’s priorities this season. One of the loudest critics was former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, who ranted about Hudson’s involvement during an appearance on FS1’s “Wake Up Barstool.”
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Gruden said. “You know Mike Lombardi works for North Carolina. I’ve heard him criticize me several times. I’m sure he’ll produce a Tik Tok today explaining exactly what was going on there.”
Gruden isn’t the only one criticizing Hudson’s sideline presence, as many find the situation unusual. Despite the controversy, Hudson is still allowed on the team’s sideline, and there’s nothing currently preventing her from being as involved in the program as Belichick allows.
North Carolina enters its matchup against Clemson with a 2-2 record, including two blowout losses against the only Power Four opponents it’s faced this season. If Belichick’s focus continues to be on Hudson rather than the state of his team, it could be a long season for the Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels will face Clemson on October 4. Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. ET, and coverage will be on ESPN.
