BOSTON — UConn and North Carolina are looking to keep things business-like ahead of their Fenway Bowl matchup on Saturday.
It’s pretty obvious where everyone’s focus has been, however.
UNC made a rather substantial decision three weeks ago, which we’re sure you’ve already heard about it. Bill Belichick was hired to become the program’s next head coach, so as you can imagine, that’s where the focus has primarily been as they prepare to take the field for the final time before he ultimately takes over.
UConn head coach Jim Mora, however, claims his team hasn’t paid attention to any of it.
“We don’t try to (ignore outside noise). We do,” Mora told media members on Friday. “It’s irrelevant to us. We can’t control the emotional components of our opponents, so we don’t try to. We focus on what we can control. That’s our preparation. That’s where we work. That’s the attention to detail. It’s a mindset, this way we go out and perform, and as far as I know, Coach Belichick will not be taking the field on Saturday. It’s irrelevant to this football team.”
North Carolina interim head coach Freddie Kitchens had a different outlook on the entire situation, though he clearly didn’t feel like getting into specifics regarding his relationship with the man whose seat he’s currently sitting in.
“I talk to Coach (Belichick) every day,” Kitchens said. “I won’t during the game, or anything like that. He understands that we have a job to do here.”
Belichick has primarily worked behind the scenes since his introductory press conference, which is the way he likes things. It’ll be interesting to see if he makes an appearance in Boston, however.
Mora says he doesn’t anticipate seeing the eight-time Super Bowl champion take the field on Saturday, but he might not be too far.
