Long-time New York Giants assistant Bill Belichick’s name has been synonymous with NFL dominance for two decades.
Yet here we are, discussing whether the six-time Super Bowl champion might trade the pros for the college game. According to multiple reports, Belichick has not only interviewed once but twice with the University of North Carolina for their vacant head coach position.
This second meeting, reportedly held in Manhattan last week, suggests legitimate interest from both sides. Yes, that Bill Belichick, possibly leading 18-year-olds and navigating the NCAA transfer portal. What’s going on here?
The situation has left many scratching their heads. Belichick, who was mutually released by the Patriots after a dismal 2023 season, has been unusually active this offseason, signaling his willingness to coach anywhere—including the Tar Heels. But is this a genuine interest in college football, or a carefully calculated move to keep his NFL options open? It’s hard to tell, especially with Belichick, whose entire persona is built on operating ten steps ahead of everyone else.
For Giants fans, the possibility of Belichick coaching at UNC feels like a bizarre plot twist in a career defined by NFL excellence. Still, it raises an important question: What does this mean for his future—and potentially for the Giants?
Is Bill Belichick forcing NFL front offices' hands to land an NFL gig?
Let’s be honest: imagining Belichick roaming the sidelines in Chapel Hill, wearing a Tar Heels visor, is borderline surreal. The man who built the greatest dynasty in NFL history teaching complex defensive schemes to college kids? It doesn’t quite add up. NFL executives reportedly laughed at the idea, and they might be onto something.
Not only are executives laughing at the notion, but former Patriots players are also doing so—on national television. Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, and Rob Gronkowski's reactions should say it all: Billy Belichick to the college ranks is a laughable thought:
Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski making fun of Bill Belichick potentially becoming UNC’s next head football coach… 👀
— Harrison Cordell Fant (@Fantavious9) December 9, 2024
pic.twitter.com/n0o2NWZVAF
Players can see it now: "Do your job"—more like, "Do your homework," or "Do a good job on this economic policy assignment." You'd cackle just like the trio above if you thought about the potential dynamic at UNC between the storied HC and teenagers.
From Belichick’s perspective, entertaining college offers could be a strategic move to remind NFL teams he’s still hungry and willing to adapt. After all, he doesn’t need the UNC job to pay bills or pad his resume—he needs it to prove he still has the fire to lead. This whole situation could be less about college football and more about leveraging attention to secure another NFL gig.
And let’s not forget: Belichick is just 27 wins shy of breaking Don Shula’s all-time coaching wins record. That’s a milestone he can’t reach in college, but any NFL team with an opening might be tempted to help him get there. Could the Giants, a team that already has deep ties to Belichick from his early days as a defensive coordinator, come into play? It’s worth considering, especially if Brian Daboll’s seat heats up any more than it has in the past few weeks.
While Daboll's job security is anyone's guess, the Giants are rebuilding. If they opt for a fresh start after another rough season, Belichick’s ties to the organization—from his time under Bill Parcells to his respect for the team’s history—make him a compelling option.
But would the Giants want him? And would he want the G-Men? It’s a chance for Belichick to return to his roots and finish on a high note, but his old-school approach and history of demanding control might clash with the collaborative structure modern teams prefer.
Belichick’s openness to unconventional opportunities shows one thing: he’s not done. If he jumps to college football, it would be a surprising twist in a legendary career. But if this is a move to spark NFL interest, you’ve got to respect the strategy.
The idea of Belichick returning to the NFL (and potentially to New York) adds intrigue to an already pivotal upcoming offseason. Is he the long-term answer? Maybe, but probably not. But wherever Belichick goes, it’ll surely keep everyone on their (Tar) Heels.