Report: Belichick is in Contract Talks with UNC Right Now, as He Wants to Prove Himself at the College Level Away From 'Brady's Shadow"

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During this, The Year of Belichick, we've seen a man who was raised like a great king of old to build his kingdom, vanquish his enemies and rule over the known world, get to actually relax. To unburden himself from the crown that lies so uneasy upon the heads of lesser men. For him, the Year of Our Lord 2024 has been pleasure travel, TV gigs, podcast appearances, roasting Tom Brady, paying tribute to Tom Brady, and galas as museums. 

But unemployment cannot last forever. Not for such a uniquely driven, focused and ambitious ruler. "And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept. For there were no more worlds to conquer." (The benefits of a Bridgewater State education and memorizing the screenplay of Die Hard.) Somewhere out there, lies his uncertain future. Football sidelines across the US are being patrolled by lesser men. And this one needs to take his rightful place among them. 

Which brings us to the reports last week that Belichick was on his second interview with U. of North Carolina:

Like I said, I simply cannot imagine that coaching college ball has any sort of appeal to Belichick. Maybe if it was the job at Navy, for the obvious reasons. That's where he was raised. His father's legacy. His reverence for the armed services, and so on. But the idea of having to hustle around the country recruiting teenagers just seems so … anti-Belichick. I'll let these guys describe how the process would play out:

Exactly. Plus having to deal with the realities of NIL at a school where basketball is king. Not to mention the transfer portal dynamic, that has (rightly and justifiably) shifted the balance of power toward the athletes. Who needs that smoke when you've got the respect of every player agent in the league from Drew Rosenhaus to Don Yee on down? 

It seemed to me that the best situation for Belichick to land in is Chicago. The Bears need help on the offensive line, but have all the resources they need to address it. Other than that, the roster is talented. The quarterback could use better coaching, but comes with a box filled with all the tools. And let us not forget he got 10 wins and a playoff berth out of rookie Mac Jones:

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The Bears ownership situation is stable. They've got a huge fanbase. An NFL legacy program for the ages. So Chicago just seems like an infinitely better option than Chapel Hill, right? Wrong. At least according to this:

#ChicagoBears fans scratch Bill Belichick off your list of potential head coaches.  Contract negotiations with UNC are underway.  I'm hearing he wants to prove his coaching legacy at the college level without Tom Brady's shadow over him,  plus there is family legacy in Chapel Hill where his grandfather has a history.  NIL money will follow, then players too.  Did someone's girlfriend scrub her social media yet as requested?

Look, I don't know this Peggy Kusinski from Peg Bundy. Or Ted Kluszewski:

She may be an excellent reporter with impeccable credentials and unimpeachable sources. I have no clue. (Or any Big Klu.) Nor am I ruling out Belichick still going to the Tar Heels altogether. What I'm saying is that I still find it highly implausible. 

If Belichick ends up in Chapel Hill, it will be because he had no NFL offers. Full stop. It certainly won't be because he's trying to escape the coldness of Tom Brady's shadow or whatever. I mean, what does taking UNC to The 2025 Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl do to improve his legacy? How does any Belichick loyalist (raising my hand to that) argue, "See? Toldya he could win without Brady! Look at the number he did on James Madison!" 

Besides, his manifest destiny is to pass Don Shula's record and place himself atop the mountain as the greatest winner the game has ever known. He's not going to confirm his own greatness coaching the program that's currently getting ready for the Wasabi Fenway Bowl against UConn. 

Speaking of which, that "someone's girlfriend" mentioned in that X post has not scrubbed her social media. And it was probably never requested:

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Nor would he be rocking the hoodie of the next opponent of the team he's supposed to be hammering out a contract with. If you get the minor details wrong, that's usually a pretty good indication you got the big story wrong as well. If I'm wrong and this reporter turns out to be right, I'll be the first to admit it. But for now, I'm saying Belichick interviewed at UNC and is otherwise keeping his options open. We'll know soon enough.