The biggest story at both the NFL and the college levels on Wednesday was Bill Belichick joining the University of North Carolina. The long-time New England Patriots head coach and future first-ballot Hall of Famer will sign a five-year contract with the Tar Heels, reportedly earning up to $10 million per year.
Belichick moving to the college ranks after nearly half a century of coaching in the NFL ultimately came as a surprise, and a decision that was met with quite a bit of questions. Looking at Patriots players past and present, for example, there is no clear consensus wether or not the 72-year-old joining UNC will be a fit for either party.
Current Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who played three seasons under Belichick in New England, thinks that he will find success.
“It’s going to be a different world, but I think he’s going to manage it good,” Bourne recently told reporters. “I think Bill is a special person. He has a strong mindset. He knows how to plan things. So, I think it’ll be good. Just don’t miss class. ...
“I think Bill does a good job of developing players, developing young men. I think it’ll be a challenge for the young men. He’s a tough coach, which we all know, but I think it’d be good for certain players that have the right mindset.”
Coaching prowess also was mentioned by long-time Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty, who spent his entire 13-year career in New England alongside Belichick.
“Bill has given this a ton of thought, and I think he has built a system that’s going to work for him,” McCourty said on ESPN Wednesday night. “ll of those things that have absolutely nothing to do with the Xs and Os of football, he’s going to have people in place to deal with that. ...
“I look at his coaching style, and what he does, he knows how to put players in position to succeed. ‘Come to this school if you want to learn how to be an outside linebacker that can translate well to getting drafted and playing in the NFL.’ That is going to be his expertise.”
One of the biggest uncertainties surrounding Belichick’s move to a college program was him handling non-football related activities, including recruiting. While he established countless ties to college coaches during his time in the NFL, the actual day-to-day work and responsibilities differ from the pro level.
Patriots starting center David Andrews and former quarterback Brian Hoyer spoke about that on the latest episode of their Quick Snap Podcast. Their entire 17-minute conversation about Belichick’s move to UNC is worth listening to, with several points raised in regards to different scheduling, his player negotiation tactics and coaching responsibilities both during the season and in the offseason.
Ultimately, both are unsure whether or not “Chapel Bill” will become a success story.
“The league’s a lot younger then obviously when Bill started, but still there is a big difference in 18 and 26, let’s call it. Even though there’s not a big age difference, there’s a big difference,” said Andrews.
“Dealing with kids versus grown men, I just think it’s funny and it’s going to be interesting to see. You can’t argue Bill’s one of the best coaches of all time, and if you want to argue differently you’re delirious. I do think it will be interesting to see in that environment and what program he can establish. And what does he try to install? Is it his defense and, call it the Josh [McDaniels] offense? I don’t know.”
Chris Hogan, a former teammate of Andrews and Hoyer, also can be counted among the sceptics of the move.
“It’s a different environment, different culture, different ball game in college now,” he said on the Patriots Report.
“Can you imagine an 18-year-old kid walking into Bill’s office, like, ‘You have to pay me more or I’m leaving’? And that’s the reality. I think that what’s happened — maybe I’m wrong, maybe I’m biased because I played for him and I’ve seen him — the fear factor that he always carried with him as a coach, I don’t think that exists anymore.”
For cornerback Jonathan Jones, a current member of the Patriots who played under Belichick between 2016 and 2023, the changes mentioned by Hogan go beyond environment and culture. He also pointed toward challenges presented by NIL rules and a more prominent transfer portal.
“College is a different landscape now. You have the whole transfer portal, a lot of things since I’ve been out of college,” Jones said on Monday, before the hire was made official. “It’s a lot different. I don’t know. If he’s up for the job, then I wish him the best. But it’s a lot different in college now. ...
“I can only imagine a guy failing classes and he’s worrying about guys being eligible. I don’t think he wants to deal with that. I think that’s a big part of it. College is a different landscape.”
Drake Maye is well aware of all that, and more. Spending his entire three-year college career with the Tar Heels, the rookie quarterback knows a thing or two about the game at that level and the school Belichick is joining. While the hire was not officially announced at the time of his Wednesday press conference, Maye expressed excitement about his alma mater.
“Obviously, legendary coach, the success he had here, and what a great place Chapel Hill is. Anytime you have a legendary NFL coach going back to college, I think it’s cool. It’s pretty interesting for me,” the 22-year-old said. “I think Coach Belichick would love Chapel Hill, and Chapel Hill is a great spot. ... A cool thing for a Hall of Fame coach to go back and coach some college kids. ...
“I’m sure they’ll be excited. Coach Belichick, defensive mind, he’ll get that defense rolling and it’s a fun spot. I think it’s a great spot, a great coaching job. I can’t blame him. It’s an awesome place.”