North Carolina football is on the verge of a significant change as it has reportedly secured its new coach to replace Mack Brown. According to various reports, the University of North Carolina is finalizing a deal to bring six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick on board as the next head coach of the Tar Heels. This move comes after Brown was let go in the final week of the regular season. Inside Carolina was the first to break the news of a deal being in place.

UNC's Board of Trustees and the Approval Process

Before the appointment becomes official, UNC's Board of Trustees must meet and give their approval. Details regarding Belichick's contract are still unknown at this time. This crucial step ensures that the decision is made with the best interests of the university and the football program in mind.

Bill Belichick's Coaching Journey

Belichick's coaching career is nothing short of remarkable. He began his journey with the Baltimore Colts and later went on to help the New York Giants win two Super Bowl titles as a defensive coordinator. Former UNC great Lawrence Taylor was a key player in Belichick's defenses in New York. He then spent an astonishing 49 consecutive years in the NFL, achieving great success with quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Across 24 seasons with the Pats, he led the franchise to six Super Bowl championships in nine appearances. New England had a winning record in 19 seasons, earning 17 division titles. His coaching style is disciplined and adaptable, making him a defensive mastermind capable of simplifying the game for his players and maximizing their strengths. He has coached countless NFL legends and built lasting relationships in the football world, which could prove beneficial in recruiting.

Belichick's Awards and Championship Know-How

A three-time NFL Coach of the Year, Belichick was named the Pro Football Writers Association's Executive of the Year in 2021 for his roster construction. With eight Super Bowl championships, including six as a head coach, it's evident that he knows how to build and maintain a winning culture. Overall, he has a 333-178 record, meaning he's won 65.2% of his games. Cunningham, the UNC athletics director, wants to see UNC go from "good to great," and Belichick has certainly achieved greatness in the NFL. But the college football landscape is different, and it will be interesting to see how he fares at the college level.

Belichick's Ties to College Football and UNC

Belichick was raised in Annapolis, where his father was a longtime assistant coach at Navy. Steve Belichick spent a significant portion of his career with the Midshipmen and was also UNC's running backs coach from 1953-55. Although Bill has never coached at the college level before, he is longtime friends with former Alabama coach Nick Saban and has reportedly been around Washington's program this season. His son, Steve, is the Huskies' defensive coordinator. In his appearance on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show" this week, Belichick discussed the similarities between college football and the NFL and outlined his plan of attack as a college coach.

Will Belichick Be a Good Hire for UNC?

The answer remains to be seen, but if you're UNC, why not take a chance? Good or bad, Belichick's hiring is sure to bring more attention to the Tar Heels in 2025. A program that usually has the attention of fans only during basketball season will now command consistent national attention at both the college and NFL levels. We know he can coach, and his resume could attract players who want to be led by someone who knows what it takes to reach and succeed in the NFL. If he can put the right people in place to run a college program, there's no reason to believe he can't carry his winning ways to Chapel Hill. It could be a dream or a nightmare for the Tar Heels, but one thing is for sure - it won't be boring.