Properly, that freaking stinks.
Invoice Belichick will change into the top coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. The finalizing of the three-year, $30 million deal Wednesday night got here after days of conflicting studies, which began final week as a result of the partnership was so troublesome to consider.
It nonetheless is troublesome to consider.
Belichick will patrol the sidelines within the basketball-first group of Chapel Hill, N.C. The Tar Heels completed thirteenth within the ACC in 2024. It’s a stark distinction to Belichick main one of many premier NFL organizations just like the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, or New York Giants — all of whom had been rumored to be a possible touchdown spot at one time or one other.
Nope. Belichick as a substitute will put on a headset on arguably the third-most well-liked day for American soccer (Sunday, Monday, Saturday?)
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There’s frustration to go round.
Thirty-two franchises don’t appear to consider Belichick, the top coach who has gained six Tremendous Bowls, is price hiring to be certainly one of 32 head coaches. This regardless of the actual fact the 2024 season began with the likes of Robert Saleh, Dennis Allen and Matt Eberflus on the entrance of the room.
Belichick is partly accountable, too, in fact. As a result of whereas he reportedly was keen to surrender personnel management throughout his last yr with the New England Patriots, and whereas it was reported he would work with the Atlanta Falcons personnel division, the overwhelming majority thought that was troublesome to consider. Everybody knew Belichick wished management.
That mindset certainly led the 72-year-old to go for the school route. Belichick will all however definitely have the lion’s share of say in soccer operations at North Carolina.
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Certain, there’s the possibility Belichick utterly overhauls the Tar Heels. There’s an opportunity he’s competing within the ACC Championship in opposition to Dabo Sweeney’s Clemson Tigers in 2025. Hell, possibly the UNC program he plans to run like an expert group even modifications the panorama of school soccer. That will permit Belichick so as to add to his legacy otherwise.
However Don Shula’s wins report? It’s by no means seemed additional away. Belichick teaching in opposition to Robert Kraft’s Patriots? Don’t depend on it. Is Belichick hoisting a non-Patriots Lombardi Trophy like Tom Brady? That’s a damaging. And, selfishly, Belichick in North Carolina in all probability gained’t be practically as attention-grabbing to the Boston sports activities fan.
All issues thought-about, after a yr of daydreaming about Belichick’s subsequent touchdown spot, the end result looks like a significant letdown.
