Bill Belichick is inching closer to becoming the head coach at UNC. After a week of rumors, it’s being reported that the former New England Patriots coach is willing to accept a job for the ACC program. But he has an elaborate scheme he wants to implement in the process, which didn’t sit well with the team of trustees.
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According to Ollie Connolly of the Guardian US, a group of 13 trustees are resistant to the ideas that Belichick has in mind for the Tar Heels. Apparently, the “400-page bible” that he laid out to the board would completely renovate the way the school views football. Because the demands are so severe, Belichick himself is even unsure if the Tar Heels will agree. But he has stood firm and is not going to negotiate.
There has already been pushback from the group of 13 trustees, with input from wider faculty. The investment would overhaul the school’s approach to football; Belichick unsure if the school will meet the demands and is unwilling to negotiate
— Ollie Connolly (@OllieConnolly) December 10, 2024
What is this master plan that Belichick has in store? Well, it starts with his son, Stephen. Bill has an unusual request to have Stephen be the head coach in waiting at UNC. Surprisingly, though, the Tar Heels are willing to meet this demand.
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. Discussions are not a bid to gain leverage for NFL offers and BB is open to the move
— Ollie Connolly (@OllieConnolly) December 6, 2024
Stephen Belichick is currently the defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies. He helped turn the secondary around in their first season in the BIG TEN, but the team slumped in comparison to their championship run last year.
Along with his son succeeding him as the next head coach, Belichick’s 400-page ‘bible’ outlines the structure he desires should he coach there, detailing payment, staff choices, and expectations. While they may seem like burly demands, Belichick is making it clear that he wants full control over the next team he coaches.
Update: Belichick has agreed to become the next UNC coach. Belichick handed the school a 400 page “organizational bible” with structure, payment plans, staffing choices etc. decisions on whether to commit with UNC. He is expected to know their decision within 24 hours https://t.co/DAV2yX9Mn5
— Ollie Connolly (@OllieConnolly) December 10, 2024
It may be what Belichick needs to become a college coach, but they might be too lofty of expectations. North Carolina is predominantly known as a basketball school, and they invest a lot of money in that side of the program. It would be difficult and maybe unrealistic for the school to completely shift its financial focus when it comes to sports.
But this is the decision UNC needs to ask themselves: do they want to be a college football powerhouse? Because that is what’s on the table right now. Sure, it will require a lot of investment and rearranging of financial choices. But they have the greatest coach of all time asking to take over the program and lead them to glory. It might be worth it for UNC to see if they can succeed in another sport.
