Bill Belichick is 4-5 in his first season at North Carolina.
Bill Belichick is 4-5 in his first season at North Carolina.Chris Seward/Associated Press
North Carolina football is now 4-5 on the season following a second consecutive win — a 20-15 victory over Stanford last Saturday. Just in time for a possible midseason surge are the latest rumors about Bill Belichick’s return to the NFL.
With the Giants’ recent decision to fire Brian Daboll after he compiled a 20-40-1 record in three-and-a-half seasons in New York, one of the jobs that New England’s longtime coach had historical ties to is now vacant.
Would Belichick consider a return to the NFL at the age of 73? Asked about it during a Tuesday UNC press conference, the six-time Super Bowl winner with the Patriots had a recognizable response.
“Getting ready for Wake Forest, that’s all I got this week,” Belichick replied. The Tar Heels travel to play Wake Forest on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
“I’ve been asked about [a potential NFL comeback] from time-to-time,” Belichick added. “Look, I’ve been down this road before. I’m focused on Wake Forest, that’s it. That’s my commitment to this team. Next week it’ll be to our next opponent and so forth. I’m here to do the best I can for this team.”
Patriots fans will undoubtedly have a sense of familiarity hearing Belichick’s terse response. But amid the many questions that have already developed about his commitment to UNC and the quality of the program that’s been built so far, the longtime New England head coach has steadfastly maintained that he wants to see the project through.
Belichick’s connections to the Giants go back to his time as an assistant coach under Bill Parcells. He eventually rose to become the team’s defensive coordinator, directing a talented unit that helped New York win two Super Bowls.
Hayden Bird can be reached at hayden.bird@globe.com.