Should we pump the brakes on the UNC Tar Heels‘ first-year head coach, Bill Belichick, who has recently addressed questions on whether a return to coaching in the NFL was in the cards? Maybe. Maybe not.
Let’s say that Belichick has seen enough in his first year in Chapel Hill. The team has underperformed and has not met any expectations set forth by any “Critic” this season, although it is just that, Belichick’s (First Season). Let’s say that a master plan is being cooked up by the gentleman who led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles. Maybe he is thinking, “I always said that I wanted to coach college someday, but maybe college just isn’t for me.” C’mon man.
Yes, the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans have vacancies for a head coach, but Belichick has been there and done that several times over. He is 73 years old. Why would he even engage in the idea of returning to that headache that comes with those teams? Of course, once the opportunity presented itself, Belichick would be asked about it. I can understand being asked about the Giants vacancy, given his history of having spent time on the staff under Bill Parcells, but he doesn’t want to spend 3-4 years investing in a rebuild with the Titans at 73 years old.
“Since arriving in Chapel Hill,” Belichick said, “my commitment to the UNC football program hasn’t wavered.”
“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 said. “However, despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.”
Belichick would surely retire before walking off the campus in Chapel Hill to return to any NFL field. He would also say, “My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud,” Belichick said. “We’re on to Wake Forest.”
The season has not gone as planned for Belichick with the Tar Heels sitting at 4-5, and fighting for their lives to become bowl eligible. Rest assured, Belichick will have an entire calendar year to get the players he wants in Chapel Hill, and the Tar Heels will be a completely different team next season. While he roams the sidelines, leading the charge.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Will Bill Belichick betray the Tar Heels and bolt back to the NFL?
