Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels football program reportedly have shown legitimate interest in one another.
Belichick interviewed for the position in New York last week, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Chris Low on Monday. And according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Belichick has since had multiple conversations about the vacancy.
“He’s one of several candidates for the job previously held by Mack Brown — and the talks are not for show” Russini wrote Sunday. “The interest is real, and if Belichick is offered the job, a source familiar with his thinking expects him to take it.”
ESPN reported it’s “uncertain” how deep North Carolina’s talks with Belichick have been. The Worldwide Leader in Sports reported the search has been “scattered,” while Belichick’s exploration has included a dive into every aspect of college coaching.
“Some people with ties to Belichick are skeptical he’d take the job, as he’s never worked in college football,” ESPN wrote. “Others say he has been sincere and thorough in his interest and has a desire to return to the sideline.”
Russini wrote Belichick’s interest in North Carolina is rooted in him being “turned off” by the lack of interest he received from NFL teams last offseason after he was fired by the New England Patriots. He wants to run a program without interference, Russini wrote, and the NFL jobs expected to be available don’t fit that mold.
There have also been rumors Belichick’s interest could be a way to help his son, Steve Belichick, Washington’s defensive coordinator, earn a head coaching position down the road.
