Bill Belichick reached out to Jets about vacancy before taking UNC job – reports

Bill Belichick, who famously retired from the Jets in 2000, inquired about the coaching vacancy in New York before taking the same position with North Carolina this week, multiple media outlets reported Saturday.

The 72-year-old Belichick, who won six Super Bowls as coach of the New England Patriots — one of the Jets’ AFC East rivals — personally contacted the Jets about the opening, but there were no formal discussions, it appears from the reports.

In the wake of the firing of former Jets coach Robert Saleh on October 7, Belichick had been critical of team owner Woody Johnson, but that is nothing new between the archrivals.

After a stint on head coach Bill Parcells’ Jets staff from 1997-99, Belichick was set to succeed Parcells in 2000, but resigned the day he was set to take over. Part of Belichick’s reasoning was his disinterest in working for Johnson, who had recently purchased the Jets.

Belichick got out of his contract by filing a lawsuit and was traded to the Patriots. The rest is history, as the Jets watched their division rivals hoist six Lombardi Trophies under Belichick’s leadership.

Seven years after Belichick left the Jets, they caused the Spygate scandal by accusing him of illegally filming their coaches during a game.

Less than a week after relieving general manager Joe Douglas of his duties, Johnson hired The 33rd Team to help the Jets find a new coach and GM. Jeff Ulbrich took over for Saleh, while Phil Salvage assumed GM duties.