Bill Belichick’s Next Chapter: From NFL Legend to College Football’s Newest Power Player
THEY MET EVERY week. Bill Belichick and a select group of his former New England Patriots assistants—Matt Patricia, Michael Lombardi, Josh McDaniels, and others—gathered on Zoom. These were men who had once helped Belichick win Super Bowls, but now found themselves out of work. Together, they dissected the NFL landscape, just as they had in Foxboro. Teams, trends, salaries, schematic shifts—topics only they could analyze with such depth. It was a masterclass in football strategy, but with an unspoken subtext: Which NFL teams might make a coaching change this year? And of those teams, which would be interested in a 72-year-old, eight-time Super Bowl champion? And, perhaps most importantly, which of those teams would Belichick want to coach?
According to sources with direct knowledge, the group concluded that the Chicago Bears were the most attractive potential job. However, they also believed the Bears’ leadership was unlikely to consider Belichick. The consensus was that Chicago would likely pursue an offensive-minded coach to develop quarterback Caleb Williams, with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the probable target.
The New York Jets? A nonstarter. Belichick’s history with Jets owner Woody Johnson dates back to 2000, and it hasn’t been rosy. The Giants? A possibility, given Belichick’s history with the franchise in the 1980s, but he recognized it would be a rebuild, and he respected current head coach Brian Daboll. Dallas? Intriguing, given Belichick’s ability to turn talent into a cohesive team, but Jerry Jones’ willingness to part ways with Mike McCarthy—and hand over control to Belichick—was uncertain. Jacksonville? Another option, but questions lingered about whether it was the right fit, especially given the analytics-driven approach of Tony Khan, son of owner Shad Khan, which Belichick’s camp has criticized.
Belichick’s feelings toward the NFL have soured, according to confidants. The past year has been a whirlwind. Robert Kraft, the man whose legacy was intertwined with Belichick’s, fired him in January. Of the seven teams with coaching vacancies, only one showed interest in hiring him. The Falcons interviewed him twice but ultimately didn’t rank him among their top three candidates, reportedly due in part to Kraft’s influence. To add insult to injury, the Patriots’ documentary, “The Dynasty”, minimized Belichick’s role in the team’s success, sparking backlash from former Patriots players.
As the NFL seemed to move on without him, Belichick began to explore other options. He started mentioning college programs during his weekly Zoom calls. He spent time at Washington, where his son Stephen is the defensive coordinator. He also had connections at Boston College and Ole Miss, where former assistants Bill O’Brien and Joe Judge were working. Slowly, the idea of coaching in college began to take shape.
Why College Football?
At first glance, the idea of Belichick as a college coach seemed far-fetched. Could anyone picture him in a teenager’s living room, pitching his program in his signature hoodie? Even Nick Saban, one of Belichick’s closest friends, had stepped away from college football due to the challenges of the transfer portal and NIL. But for Belichick, the appeal was clear. It wasn’t about chasing Don Shula’s NFL wins record. It was about taking on a new challenge and, perhaps, sticking it to the NFL.
“This is a big f— you to the NFL,” one of Belichick’s confidants said.
Belichick has always been a student of football history and a teacher at heart. The so-called “Patriot Way” wasn’t just about situational football and ruthless decision-making; it was about education. Belichick’s teams were known for their full-team meetings, where players were quizzed on everything from opponent stats to the résumés of assistant coaches. It was a football laboratory, and Belichick was the head scientist.
Now, at the University of North Carolina, Belichick will have the chance to build a program from the ground up. It’s a return to his roots—his father, Steve, worked at UNC when Belichick was a boy—and an opportunity to run a team on his terms. College football, with its transactional nature, feels like a better fit for him than the increasingly corporate NFL.
The Challenges Ahead
Of course, the transition won’t be without its challenges. College coaches face unique pressures, from recruiting to managing the transfer portal. But Belichick seems ready to embrace these obstacles. According to a source, he believes the college landscape is “more transactional and less relational,” which suits his style.
Belichick’s move to UNC is a bold one, but it’s also a calculated risk. He’ll have the autonomy he craves, and he’ll be able to focus on what he does best: building a team. For UNC, the stakes are high. The Tar Heels finished 6-6 this season, but with Belichick at the helm, expectations will skyrocket.
What’s Next for Belichick?
Belichick’s decision to leave the NFL for college football is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. He’s not walking away from the game; he’s redefining his role within it. As one confidant put it, “He’ll go be the highest draw in college football and the greatest coach in the ACC.”
For a man who has always done things his way, this move feels like the perfect next chapter. And for the NFL, it’s a reminder that even legends can grow tired of the game’s politics. Belichick may be leaving the league, but he’s not leaving football. He’s simply taking his talents to a new stage, one where he can once again prove why he’s one of the greatest minds the sport has ever seen.
Originally Written by: Seth Wickersham
