Bill Belichick’s decision to… North Carolina Tar Heels job came as a shock to many in the professional and college football world.
Belichick, at 72 and one of the most respected former NFL head coaches, has never coached at the collegiate level. He was an assistant with the Baltimore Colts in 1975 before eventually winning several Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and New York Giants.
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I mean, Bruschi (AP Photo/Matt Slocum/File)
The decision to attend college at this point in his life and career left one of his former players, linebacker Tedy Bruschi, quizzical.
‘What are we doing here? I mean, Bill Belichick is going to coach North Carolina. I mean, college football – there’s only one bowl game I want to see Bill Belichick coach and that’s the Super Bowl, okay?’ he said on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown.” “I don’t want him coaching a Lawnmower Bowl in December or January. That’s just not who I am.’
“I don’t know how there wouldn’t be interest in where you bring in a Belichick, and he immediately makes you relevant and well-coached because of who he is,” Bruschi continued. “Would he turn any of the teams that needed a head coach this year into an immediate contender? I mean, yes, he would. He’s that good. Now he won’t be at the level of six championship New England Patriots or something like that comes.” something like that, but your team would be competent from the start; and then it’s up to your players.
“I can’t believe Bill Belichick won’t be playing in the NFL next year. I don’t know how this happened.”
New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick addresses the crowd at the Dean Smith Center during halftime of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., December 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
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New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick walks on the Dean Smith Center court during halftime of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Belichick officially agreed to take the job last week despite checking in to see if there was any interest on the part of the New York Jets in potentially coaching them despite the historical drama surrounding both sides.
Julian Edelman weighed in along the way and offered a sunnier taker.
“It’s the most surprising thing in history to me that the greatest NFL football coach won’t be playing in the NFL,” the former wide receiver said on “FOX NFL Kickoff.” “The more I think about it, the more sense it makes.”
“A, projecting players: I was a quarterback in college, played receiver (in the NFL). Tom Brady was a sixth-round draft pick, became the greatest quarterback of all time. Rob Gronkowski was a second-round pick, became the best tight end of all time. He knows how to project players.
“B, nostalgia: Bill’s dad coached at North Carolina… he loves everything his dad was a part of, so that makes sense. And then, three, (seeing) the ‘Hoodie’ in a (Michael) Jordan Tar Heel powder blue.”
Belichick will replace Mack Brown as head coach. The Tar Heels are 6-6 this year and will play UConn in the Fenway Bowl. Freddie Kitchens will coach the team for the match.
Julian Edelman (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images/File)
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North Carolina has gone to six straight bowl games. Since 1998, they have had one 10-win season.
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