There isn’t one college football program with more excitement surrounding it than the North Carolina Tar Heels.
On Wednesday, December 11, UNC hired Bill Belichick to be its next head football coach. North Carolina’s decision to land Belichick, a 6-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots and 3-time AP NFL Coach of the Year, created an immediate buzz around the football program we haven’t seen in ages.
You’re already starting to see some early effects of Belichick’s hiring, with several Tar Heels withdrawing their names from the transfer portal. Quarterback Bryce Baker, UNC’s top 2025 football recruit, re-assured his commitment after recent uncertainty.
North Carolina’s 2025 opponents are set, but recently on the Pat McAfee Show, Belichick suggested the College GameDay crew take a trip to Chapel Hill next fall.
“Why don’t you come down and talk about it in person,” Belichick said. “How about we do GameDay down here (in Chapel Hill)?”
“I would be honored to go down there,” McAfee responded. (UNC GM Michael) Lombardi tells me it’s the most beautiful place that he’s ever been. We can’t wait to get down there.”
"How about if we do GameDay down here?"
Bill Belichick throws out the idea of College GameDay making its way to Chapel Hill 👀 @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/85V0boPIP9
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 16, 2024
McAfee didn’t guarantee a 2025 College GameDay appearance in Chapel Hill, but he certainly sounds more excited about that possibility. The Tar Heels should be much improved under Belichick in 2025 – and Belichick attracts national media attention – so what more could McAfee and his team want?
UNC has a 1-2 record in three previous appearances on College GameDay, with the most recent being its 2023 opener against the South Carolina Gamecocks. North Carolina won that game, 31-17, to kick off its 6-0 start.
If the Tar Heels start hot in 2025, I have a good feeling College GameDay will come to Chapel Hill. Maybe McAfee already has a date in mind?
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