Those who initially felt Bill Belichick coaching in college were just bogus rumors, well, they might not feel the same after hearing from the legend himself.
Belichick confirmed he had “a couple good conversations” with North Carolina chancellor Lee H. Roberts after reports he interviewed for the Tar Heels coaching position.
The 72-year-old Belichick also came across as someone interested in taking over a college program when he appeared on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Monday afternoon. Belichick said college football is closer to the NFL than ever before.
“I think there are a lot of college programs being structured similar to NFL programs,” Belichick told McAfee. “In college, you now have high school recruiting, but you have college portal. In pro football, you have the draft and pro free agency. So, you have salary cap and negotiations with NFL agents. In college, you have negotiations with whoever represents the player.
“You have players changing teams in college, as you have players that can change teams in the NFL, with a little different set of rules but the same general structure.”
Belichick added: “I think it’s a little different version of the NFL model, much more so than it’s ever been before. Let’s put it that way.”
Belichick deflected when asked about the length of conversations with North Carolina. He did indicate topics like team building and the structure of the program were among those discussed. Belichick also noted how scholarships and coaching staffs have expanded in the college game.
The New England Patriots legend seemed to offer an eyebrow-raising recruiting pitch, as well.
“Let me put this in capital letters — if, I-F, if — I was in a college program, the college program would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players that had the ability to play in the NFL,” Belichick said. “It would be a professional program. Training, nutrition, scheme, coaching, techniques that would transfer to the NFL. It would be an NFL program at a college level. And an education that would get the players ready for their career after football, whether that was the end of their college career or the end of their pro career.
“But it would be geared toward developing the player, time management, discipline, structure, and all that would be life skills regardless of whether they were in the NFL or somewhere in business. I feel very confident that I have the contacts in the National Football League to pave the way for those players that would have the opportunity to compete in the National Football League. Whether they’re good enough or not, I don’t know, but they would be ready for it. I have no doubt about that.”
His capital “I-F” wasn’t the only qualifier.
“We’ll see. We’ll see,” Belichick concluded.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini on Sunday reported Belichick’s interest in North Carolina was legitimate. ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Chris Low reported some were skeptical if Belichick would take the job while others believed he was sincere and thorough.
Belichick himself, however, sounds like someone very much intrigued.
