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Six-Time Super Bowl Winner Bill Belichick Leaves NFL to Become UNC Head Coach

Dec 12, 2024, 06:20 PM

Bill Belichick, the 72-year-old six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, has been hired as the new head football coach at the University of North Carolina (UNC). The UNC trustees approved his five-year deal ahead of an introductory press conference in Chapel Hill, where he received a standing ovation. Belichick expressed that coaching college football is a 'dream come true,' mentioning that his father, Steve Belichick, had coached at UNC in the 1950s. He brought his father's old UNC sweatshirt to the event and was presented with a custom UNC sleeveless hoodie, while Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham donned a sleeveless blue blazer in homage to Belichick's signature attire. Belichick's move to college football comes after reports that he had become 'disgusted' with the NFL and saw limited opportunities to continue pursuing the NFL's all-time wins record of 347 victories, needing just 15 more wins to surpass it. NFL figures like Patriots Defensive Coordinator DeMarcus Covington and Browns Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz expressed support for Belichick's decision, highlighting his desire to continue coaching. His son, Patriots safeties coach Brian Belichick, also commented, saying he is happy for his father. The hiring has generated significant interest, with many attending his introductory press conference and discussing the potential impact on UNC's football program.