In a surprising twist to an already chaotic Dallas Cowboys season, Bill Belichick, the legendary head coach of the New England Patriots, has reportedly been hired for a college coaching position at the University of North Carolina. This move comes as the Cowboys, with a 5-8 record and essentially out of playoff contention following a crushing loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, begin to turn their focus to the 2025 season and potential coaching changes. Although Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has suggested that Mike McCarthy might receive a contract extension, many expect McCarthy’s tenure to end, prompting speculation on possible replacements.
Belichick had been a top candidate for the Cowboys job, with other names like former Titans coach Mike Vrabel and ex-Cowboys star Deion Sanders also in the mix. After parting ways with the Patriots last January, Belichick had spent the year as a TV analyst. However, the shocking revelation that he interviewed for the head coach position at UNC came as a surprise to many. While it was assumed that Belichick wanted to return to the NFL to surpass Don Shula’s record for most career wins, it now appears that the 72-year-old is heading to college football.
Belichick had previously hinted at his interest in the UNC job during an appearance on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show. He confirmed having conversations with UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts and said they were serious discussions. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Belichick spent over five hours on Sunday interviewing with Roberts, indicating that the talks were advancing. Belichick, however, remained tight-lipped about the details, joking that he didn’t want to give away too much information.
Belichick’s ties to UNC go back to his father, Steve, who coached there from 1953 to 1955. Throughout the season, Belichick has expressed his belief that college football, particularly with the introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, has become more akin to the NFL, making the transition from professional to collegiate coaching less daunting.
