Bill Belichick has decided not to return to Massachusetts with his new UNC team on Saturday.
The Tar Heels will meet UConn in the Fenway Bowl – their final game before the legendary NFL coach officially takes over for the 2025 season.
The game will be played at the iconic Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and practically in the backyard of where Belichick coached the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl victories.
Despite the potential buzz about a Belichick return to New England, the 72-year-old has been absent from practices and media activities before the game.
That’s because, according to ESPNhe doesn’t want to be a distraction for his players.
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said, “He is fully committed to building the roster. He didn’t want to go to practice or be a distraction to the kids or the coaches before the bowl game.
Bill Belichick has decided not to return to Massachusetts with his new UNC team on Saturday
The Tar Heels meet UConn in the Fenway Bowl – their final game before Belichick takes over
‘It was great. He and Mike Lombardi have locked themselves in a room and really spent all their time since his announcement building the roster for this spring and next year.”
Since the departure of coach Mack Brown, Freddie Kitchens, who remains on Belichick’s staff with the program, has overseen the North Carolina team. Belichick and Keukens are in regular contact.
Kitchens is completing his second season as North Carolina’s run game coordinator and tight ends coach.
He is part of a group of assistants coordinating the bowl offense when 2024 coordinator Chip Lindsey left for Michigan earlier this month.