Could “The Hoodie” be leaving Chapel Hill much sooner than expected?
After hiring head coach Bill Belichick in December 2024, the North Carolina Tar Heels hoped the six-time Super Bowl champion would propel them into national title contention. Instead, they’re 2-3 and 0-1 in ACC play. Following an embarrassing 38-10 home loss to the Clemson Tigers in Week 6, the school is reportedly considering a shocking move.
North Carolina is reportedly considering firing Bill Belichick
In a story published Tuesday, Andrew Jones of 247Sports reported North Carolina has had “potential exit strategy discussions” regarding Belichick. On Wednesday, Pat Welter of WRAL-TV in Raleigh revealed new information about what’s going on behind closed doors, which could give the program more grounds to move on from the former New England Patriots coach.
According to Welter, two players got into a fight in the locker room on Tuesday, and a parent said their son no longer wants to go to the facility because it’s too “toxic.”
If that wasn’t enough, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman has reported the school has suspended cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins. The suspension is tied to allegations of extra benefits in a previous report by Welter.
No wonder North Carolina wants to get rid of Belichick. Along with the scandals, he has failed to attract elite players.
“There’s no question that job No. 1 for any coach is attracting top talent to North Carolina, and I think that’s where you start if you’re the North Carolina administration,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said Sunday on “Patriots Pregame Live.” “You look at their roster and you say, ‘You turned over 70 percent of the roster and that’s what we’re getting on a week-to-week basis?’ … I think there are lots of fair questions to ask in those departments.”
UNC athletics, Bill Belichick release statements amid rumors
In wake of the reporting, both North Carolina athletics and Belichick released statements.
“I’m fully committed to UNC Football and the program we’re building here,” Belichick said.
UNC director of athletics Bubba Cunningham had a similar message. “Coach Belichick has the full support of the department of athletics and university,” Cunningham said.
