Bill Belichick left the New England Patriots last year after 24 successful seasons with the franchise. He won six Super Bowls with the Patriots and solidified his legacy as one of the greatest-ever head coaches in NFL history.
Belichick is actively looking to return as a head coach, and he recently interviewed with the University of North Carolina. The college parted ways with Mack Brown last month, and the mutual interest between UNC and the Patriots legend surprised many football fans.
Fans React to Bill Belichick Interviewing With North Carolina
Belichick’s interview with North Carolina sparked a lot of reactions from NFL fans on social media. Some took a dig at him, saying that Tom Brady can’t play in college to save him, while others were challenged about how the 72-year-old will deal with the recruitment process.
One of the biggest reasons Nick Saban left Alabama was how college football completely changed with the new age of Name, Image, and Likeness, or NIL, deals. It has made the recruitment process a lot tougher, and the idea of a strict head coach like Belichick negotiating with high school athletes to join the program is quite intriguing.
Here’s how they reacted:
can’t compete in the big boys league without brady pic.twitter.com/xoKOfRRFPY https://t.co/fY5qp8cMga
— 🍬⚡️ (@McKenziesCandy) December 5, 2024
‘Is he aware Tom Brady is ineligible?” said one fan.
Another fan added, “I hope this was a mistake… Bill can’t go to college.”
No way. Why would he want to coach in college, especially with the transfer portal, NIL…and their college aged kids. If he was grumpy in the NFL, I'd hate to see him in college football
— Luke Conway (@lconwaynd93) December 5, 2024
“Belichick and NIL-era HS kids seem like oil and water,” wrote one fan.
“The Bengals are fumbling this,” said another fan amid Zac Taylor’s uncertain future with the Cincinnati Bengals.
the thought of Bill Belichick sitting in 17 year old kid’s living room is actually somewhat hilarious https://t.co/7sZBVvM36Z
— 🥷🏽🛸🧘🏽♂️ (@vaughnsteel13) December 5, 2024
Belichick began his coaching career in 1975 with the Baltimore Colts as their special assistant. Since then, he has only coached in the NFL, and a move to college football at his age doesn’t seem realistic.
The Atlanta Falcons interviewed him for their head coaching role last year but instead hired Raheem Morris. Since then, Belichick has worked for NFL Network, made appearances on the ManningCast, and on “The Pat McAfee Show” to keep himself close to the league for obvious reasons.
NFL Teams Are Expected To Approach Belichick
The general belief around the league is Belichick will likely return to the NFL next season. He is expected to be approached by several teams for the head coaching role, which is why the interview with North Carolina was even more surprising.
However, an NFL executive told NFL insider Jordan Schultz that the former Patriots head coach is likely being strategic about his return to the NFL. The interview with UNC might push NFL teams to act faster.
This move from Belichick could force NFL teams to start conversations with him much earlier than anticipated. Schultz recently appeared on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” where he said the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are some of the likely landing spots for Belichick.
Bill Belichick wants to coach again, and I believe he will coach again.
Here are three potential teams that would make sense, via @TheHerd with @colincowherd: pic.twitter.com/nJF3kkLnaZ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 5, 2024
Another team that could be interested in Belichick is the Bengals, who are 4-8 on the season and will likely miss the playoffs. Taylor, their head coach, could take the fall for the disastrous season, and the franchise might look to bring in Belichick, who can help Joe Burrow to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl.
