North Carolina coach Bill Belichick talks with recruits prior to the Tar Heels’ game against Stanford on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
In the final weeks of his first regular season as North Carolina’s head football coach, Bill Belichick said Friday night his focus remains solely with the Tar Heels.
With his name swirling around the New York Giants head coaching opening, Belichick said in a statement he has no intentions of leaving UNC for any NFL job.
“Despite circulating rumors,” Belichick said in a statement, “I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.”
The 73-year-old Belichick has a deep history with the Giants, having coached as defensive coordinator on two Giants’ Super Bowl-winning teams under head coach Bill Parcells following the 1986 and 1990 seasons.
“I have great respect and genuinely care for the New York Giants organization and both the Mara and Tisch families,” Belichick said in his statement. “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 Parcells’ staff for over a decade.”
Belichick never coached at the college level prior to this season with the Tar Heels. After struggling in the season’s first month, UNC (4-5, 2-3 ACC) is on a two-game winning streak entering Saturday’s game at Wake Forest.
The school’s veteran coach indicated Friday night he’s plans to continue coaching the Tar Heels following this season.
“Since arriving in Chapel Hill,” Belichick said, “my commitment to the UNC football program has not wavered. 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.”