In the biggest coaching carousel move of 2024, six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick is joining college football and has taken over the reins as North Carolina‘s new head football coach.
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz knows Belichick well. Before arriving in Iowa City as the Hawkeyes‘ head coach prior to the 1999 college football season, Ferentz served as the Cleveland Browns‘ offensive line coach under then-Browns head coach Bill Belichick.
Ferentz worked with Belichick during the 1993-95 NFL seasons. While Belichick in the college game might seem strange to some, Ferentz said that Belichick’s football travels while guiding New England have Belichick well prepared to take over in Chapel Hill.
“I think he’s got firsthand exposure, certainly. His son is coaching at the University of Washington. Was on the field a couple months ago. I know he spent time up there with Steve.
“I think he’s gotten firsthand exposure live and in person. He also knows the college game from going around scouting, talking to college coaches frequently regarding prospects, that type of thing. To me what it says is he loves coaching. I think that’s pretty evident,” Ferentz said.
Though much of the football world was stunned by the move, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz wasn’t altogether surprised.
“Football is football, pro, college or high school. If you’re coaching, then you love coaching. I think it’s not a surprise at all. I think it’s probably a genius move at UNC,” Ferentz said.
Asked what advice Ferentz would offer Belichick about the college game, Iowa’s longtime head coach cracked a joke.
“Turn around and run like hell. I’m joking. I’m joking,” Ferentz said.
Ferentz then said Belichick’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances is one of Belichick’s greatest skills. To illustrate his point, Ferentz reflected upon the Browns’ controversial decision to cut quarterback Bernie Kosar midway through the 1993 NFL season and the franchise’s subsequent move to Baltimore prior to the 1996 NFL season.
“Nobody is more adept at handling change or crazy circumstances. I lived through two of them with him during our three years in Cleveland. I thought the first one was really extraordinary when we let Kosar go. We ended up cutting Bernie. Native son. You can imagine what that was like. That was nothing compared to the move two years later,” Ferentz said.
Ferentz expects Belichick to find success with the Tar Heels.
“He’s ultra-successful for a lot of reasons. He can take whatever presents itself and he’s going to figure out a way to work through it. He doesn’t need much coaching or help from me. I know he’s been observant. Again, having the connection with Steve. He spent time out there. He’s been there in camp, been there in season. He knows the drill, routine. He knows football better than anybody. He knows people as well.
“So he doesn’t need my advice. He’ll do really well. I know he’ll have really good people around him, starting with Mike Lombardi. He’ll be ready to roll. Just make sure they’re not on our schedule. That would be a task there,” Ferentz said.
North Carolina is currently readying for the Wasabi Fenway Bowl against UConn (8-4) after the Tar Heels completed a 6-6 (3-5 ACC) campaign.
Belichick replaces Mack Brown, who was fired at the end of the 2024 season.
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