Imago
College Basketball La Salle University vs University of North Carolina Dec 14 December 14, 2024: University of North Carolina welcomes Bill Belichick during halftime. NCAA, College League, USA basketball game between La Salle and University of North Carolina at Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. .David Beach/CSM Credit Image: Â David Beach/Cal Media Chapel Hill Nc United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20241214_zma_c04_059.jpg DavidxBeachx csmphotothree332941
Imago
College Basketball La Salle University vs University of North Carolina Dec 14 December 14, 2024: University of North Carolina welcomes Bill Belichick during halftime. NCAA, College League, USA basketball game between La Salle and University of North Carolina at Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. .David Beach/CSM Credit Image: Â David Beach/Cal Media Chapel Hill Nc United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20241214_zma_c04_059.jpg DavidxBeachx csmphotothree332941
UNC is 2-3 under Bill Belichick , and with three ugly losses, they’ve been taken to the woodshed. Saturday’s 38-10 drubbing by Clemson was a public undressing and a grand total of 120 points given away so far. The Tigers led 28-3 before fans even finished their nachos. And that is when the murmurs began to roar. “He’s working toward being the worst coach in college football history. That’s how bad he is,” CFB analyst Paul Finebaum fired. But apparently, some don’t bat an eye.
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What came next was schadenfreude from the HC’s coaching fraternity. In a new episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd on October 8, Colin Cowherd didn’t hit the brakes. “I’ll tell you this. I think college football coaches love that Belichick is doing a belly flop. This thing is a mess,” he said. For a coach who won six Super Bowls in the big leagues, this remains an unexpected trial by fire.
“And what college football coaches have always said is we’re dealing with 19 year olds and their parents and donors and boosters and a goofy NCAA. College football coaching, you don’t get vacations.” It’s not that Bill Belichick has forgotten football. It’s that he’s entered a world where X’s and O’s come second to politics and patience.
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As guest Joel Klatt explained, being a college coach isn’t just about football anymore. “It’s also more of a CEO role than it is a head coaching role,” he said. “For instance, right after the season, you got to spend three days meeting with every single player and every single agent and talking about the revenue share, what line of the revenue share you’re going to get.” And then there’s the field, which also does not radiate positive vibes.
The Fox analyst added, “Right now, there’s just not a cohesiveness and connection with what I see on the field.” That disconnect is glaring. Players look confused, assistants frustrated, and fans outraged. But what’s truly making headlines is brewing behind the scenes in Chapel Hill.
Per The Guardian, Bill Belichick has already discussed potential buyout options less than halfway through his first season. If he walks, he owes UNC $1 million. If they fire him, the Tar Heels owe him $20 million, unless they prove “cause.” Now that “cause” may be forming. Assistant coach Armond Hawkins received a suspension this week for offering illegal sideline benefits to a player’s family. Meanwhile, reports claim UNC has uncovered “practice and recruiting violations.”
Moreover, Bill Belichick earned a reputation as “weird” and “distant.” Some coaches couldn’t even reach him during the bye week. So, with smoke everywhere, Carolina Athletics had to step up and grab the mic.
North Carolina issues statement amid Bill Belichick’s buyout headlines
Amid firing and buyout speculation, the UNC Tar Heels just dropped statements from Carolina Athletics on X. It started with Bill Belichick’s, which read, “I’m fully committed to UNC Football and the program we’re building here.” UNC AD Bubba Cunningham also stated, “Coach Belichick had the full support of the Department of Athletics and University.” But inside the locker room, the vibes are anything but corroborating.
Sophomore receiver Jordan Shipp bluntly told reporters, “I came here to win, not to rebuild.” Fans are exiting Kenan Stadium by halftime rather than watching a messy game. Who can blame them?
The schedule ahead doesn’t get any kinder for the 73-year-old coach trying to prove he belongs. The Tar Heels still have Cal, No. 19 Virginia, Syracuse, Stanford, Wake Forest, Duke, and NC State waiting. Every matchup feels like another chance for Billy Belichick’s experiment to either redeem itself or crash harder.
North Carolina heads to Cal on October 17, with rumors, criticism, and maybe even more violations following close behind. One thing’s for sure. College football coaches aren’t losing sleep over Bill Belichick’s struggles. They’re watching and, like Colin Cowherd said, maybe even grinning.
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Edited by
Jacob Gijy