Christmas came early for the North Carolina Tar Heels this December, as Bill Belichick agreed to become their next head football coach on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Belichick won six Super Bowls and several more AFC East titles, plus he was named AP NFL Coach of the Year three times. The New England Patriots ruled the NFL under Belichick’ watch – and I’m surprised New England didn’t more with him.
Despite all Belichick’s success at the NFL level, he has yet to coach in college. Bill acknowledged this during his press conference, but feels confident to adapt towards the changing college football landscape.
We see coaches hop between college and pro football all the time, but Belichick also includes a rare feat as UNC’s new head man.
Belichick joins another legendary NFL coach in the late Bill Walsh, who won three Super Bowls coaching the San Francisco 49ers, as the only two Super Bowl-winning coaches to become college head coaches.
Both Bills were legends in the NFL.
Walsh went to Stanford after his run was over and went 17-13-1 in 3 seasons.
How will Belichick do? pic.twitter.com/OMji4GNcaP
— Thad Wells (@ThadWells) December 12, 2024
Walsh coached the Stanford Cardinal, a now-new ACC program, from 1992-1994. Stanford finished its first season under Walsh ranked ninth in the nation – and with a victory in the Blockbuster Bowl – but struggled in the following two years.
Belichick’s hiring is expected to improve North Carolina greatly, with top coaches from around the country expected to show interest in joining the staff. Recruits are already talking about wanting to play for the Tar Heels – just look at Jared Curtis, the Class of 2026’s top-ranked quarterback. UNC is getting looks at 5-star transfers, plus 2024 starters are pulling their names out of the transfer portal.
Can Belichick emulate Walsh’s first season at Stanford, but more importantly, turn North Carolina into a CFB power?
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