The University of North Carolina is still weighing a decision to bring NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick on board as head coach of the Tar Heels football team.
Last week, it was revealed that the 72-year-old coaching icon was in talks with the Chapel Hill school to take over the program after the athletic department fired its former coach Mack Brown following a season that fell short of expectations.
According to ESPNDiscussions between the school and the coach continue, ‘for which a solution is expected this week in any case.’
ESPN also revealed that Belichick and UNC officials have met at least once — last week in New York — and discussions have continued.
The coach will make multiple media appearances throughout the week as part of his new busy schedule – which the report says could “add some clarity to the level of his interest.”
ESPN sources said it’s not clear “how deep UNC’s talks with Belichick are” but that they have been happening for “quite some time.”
North Carolina is expected to make a decision on Bill Belichick’s appointment this week
A number of details would need to be ironed out, including salary, contract length, personnel resources, level of control over the program and any possible role for his son, Stephen Belichick.
It would be a very interesting time for Belichick to make his first entry into the world of college football, especially in the era of NIL.
Belichick has never taken a job in college football. His first job after graduating from Wesleyan University in 1975 came with the Baltimore Colts. He subsequently held minor coaching roles with the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos and New York Giants.
With the Giants, he was elevated to defensive coordinator and won a Super Bowl under head coach Bill Parcells before leaving for his first head coaching gig with the Cleveland Browns.
After being fired from Cleveland in 1995, he returned to Parcells for one season with the New England Patriots.
He then moved on to the New York Jets for three seasons before returning to Foxborough in 2000 and starting perhaps the greatest dynasty in the history of professional sports.
If Belichick doesn’t take the UNC job, there are a number of possible candidates to lead the Tar Heels, according to ESPN — with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Army West Point head coach Jeff Monken among those rumored.
Previously linked coaches Jon Sumrall of Tulane and Matt Campbell of Iowa State are no longer expected to be part of the search.
Belichick would replace Mack Brown, who was fired as coach midway through the season
After being expected to challenge for an ACC title, North Carolina fell to a 6-6 record this season
North Carolina, expected to be a contender for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title, fell far short of its goals this season.
After starting the season 3-0, the team fell to 6-6 in the regular season, losing five conference games, including to rivals Duke and North Carolina State.
North Carolina concludes its season playing in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts against the 8-4 UConn Huskies on December 28.
Former Cleveland Browns head coach and current UNC tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens will lead the team in the bowl game.