You can forget about a Bill Belichick homecoming in East Rutherford.
Belichick on Friday night got out in front of what surely and inevitably would be rejection (yet again) from head coach-needy NFL teams, including the Giants, who fired Brian Daboll this week.
Now struggling in his first season at North Carolina, Belichick — a coaching legend who turns 74 in April — issued the following statement, saying he won’t pursue NFL vacancies in the upcoming hiring cycle:
“I have great respect and genuinely care for the New York Giants organization and both the Mara and Tisch families. The New York Giants played an important role in my life and in my coaching journey. It was a privilege for me to work for the Mara family and be a member of Coach [Bill] Parcells’ staff for over a decade.
“However, despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies. Since arriving in Chapel Hill, my commitment to the UNC Football program has not waivered [sic].
“We have tremendous support from the university, our alumni, and the entire Carolina community. My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players, and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud. We’re on to Wake Forest.”
OK, fine.
Since the Patriots fired Belichick after the 2023 season — when it became clear he couldn’t win without Tom Brady — he has received precious little attention from head coach-needy NFL teams.
Even though Belichick has deep ties to the Giants — as Parcells’ two-time Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator — the upcoming hiring cycle probably would have unfolded similarly.
Belichick no doubt would’ve loved a chance to return to East Rutherford as the head coach and chase another ring. So you can bet that he informally gauged the Giants’ interest before issuing his statement.
And with this statement, Belichick can — for what it’s worth (nothing) — make it look like it was his choice to remain in Chapel Hill.
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