By DANIEL MATTHEWS
Published: 14:37 EST, 7 March 2025 | Updated: 14:37 EST, 7 March 2025
The University of North Carolina wanted to hire former Falcons flop Arthur Smith before turning their attention to Bill Belichick, it has emerged.
Belichick joined the Tar Heels late last year, in a sensational move that sees him coach his first college football team at the age of 72.
The NFL legend won a record six Super Bowls while in New England and his move has created a huge buzz around Chapel Hill ahead of the 2025 season.
But, according to ESPN, the Tar Heels' first choice was in fact ex-Atlanta coach Smith - a former player for UNC. The 42-year-old was fired by the Falcons last January after three disappointing years in charge.
Smith finished his tenure with a 21-30 record, with the Falcons going 7-10 in each of his three seasons.
They failed to reach the postseason under the 42-year-old, who now works as the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bill Belichick was reportedly only hired after UNC failed to land their primary coaching target
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham (r)
Arthur Smith
Belichick is pictured with his girlfriend Jordon Hudson ahead of the Super Bowl in New Orleans
It's claimed that UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham reached out to Smith in early November - before firing Hall of Fame coach Mack Brown.
Smith was not interviewed for the role - Cunningham simply wanted to understand whether he was interested in a return to Chapel Hill, where he played as guard.
According to ESPN, it wasn't until late November - when news of UNC's approach to Smith began to emerge - that the search for a new coach was blown open.
Smith, who was reportedly 'uncomfortable' at the idea of being seen to undermine Brown, publicly insisted he was happy in the NFL.
Soon, Cunningham had made a list of more than 30 candidates, only for several school board members to push for Belichick.
ESPN reports that the former Patriots coach let the school know he was interested via old friend Marco Rubio - now the Secretary of State.
Before hiring Belichick, UNC reportedly ran two job hunts, with Cunningham and the athletic department leading one. The other, spearheaded by board members, was focused only on Belichick.
Bill Belichick