Despite his disappointing collegiate coaching start, Bill Belichick isn’t going anywhere.
“Despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies,” the University of North Carolina head football coach said in a statement shared via Instagram on Friday, November 15, reaffirming his commitment to the program amid rumors he is eyeing a return to the NFL.
“Since arriving in Chapel Hill, my commitment to the UNC Football program has not waivered [sic]. We have tremendous support from the university, our alumni, and the entire Carolina community,” he continued. “My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players, and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud. We’re on to Wake Forest.”
Rumors began circulating that Belichick could potentially be moving back to the NFL began after the New York Giants fired their head coach, Brian Daboll, on Monday, November 10, after the team’s lackluster 2-8 start to the season.
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Belichick, 73, is widely regarded as one of the best NFL coaches of all time, winning six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots in his 24 seasons with the team. Along with superstar quarterback Tom Brady, Belichick built one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports.
During his time with the Patriots, New England won 17 division titles, made 13 AFC Championship appearances and nine Super Bowl appearances.
Belichick retired from the NFL in 2023 before taking the coaching job at UNC on December 11, 2024. He’s currently in his first season as head coach of the Tar Heels.
“Bill Belichick is a football legend, and hiring him to lead our program represents a new approach that will ensure Carolina football can evolve, compete and win — today and in the future,” North Carolina Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said at the time of Belichick’s hiring. “At Carolina, we believe in providing championship opportunities and the best experience possible for our student-athletes, and Coach Belichick shares that commitment. We are excited to welcome him to Chapel Hill.”
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Belichick, the second-winningest coach in NFL history, is no stranger to the Giants. Early in his coaching career, he spent 12 seasons in New York, first as an assistant, then as a linebackers coach with the team. He later served six seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator and won two Super Bowls during that time (Super Bowls XXI and XXV).
“I have great respect and genuinely care for the New York Giants organization and both the Mara and Tisch families,” Belichick said in Friday’s statement. “The New York Giants played an important role in my life and in my coaching journey. It was a privilege for me to work for the Mara family and be a member of Coach Parcells’ staff for over a decade.”
It has been an up-and-down tenure for Belichick at UNC thus far, starting the season just 2-5. The Tar Heels have since won two games in a row, moving their record to 4-5 on the season.
UNC visits Wake Forest University on Saturday, November 15, with a chance to win its third consecutive game.
