More than 20 years ago, Bill Belichick took to the podium to announce his resignation as head coach. new york jets A few hours after taking office (an announcement scrawled on a napkin in advance of the conference), I walked away with the same attitude as the person in charge. new england patriots.
Could something like this happen again under a legendary head coach?
Belichick was recently introduced as the next head coach at the University of North Carolina. He returned to the campus he found as a child when his father, Steve, was an assistant coach for the Tar Heels. Since that announcement, Belichick has been on a recruiting spree ahead of his first year as the ACC's head coach. Even school announced the first signature Holy Cross offensive lineman Christo Kelly enters transfer portal under Belichick.
But there are always holes in the NFL, and there are currently six head coaching positions. las vegas raiders, chicago bears, new orleans saintsNew York Jets jacksonville jaguarsand Belichick's old team, the Patriots.
A new report claims Belichick has been contacted by teams, including the Raiders, about a possible return to the NFL just weeks after taking the UNC job. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said Wednesday that Belichick's former quarterback, Tom Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders and expected to play a key role in the Las Vegas decision, told Belichick that he would “make a reunion happen. We have contacted them regarding what is needed.” Appointed as the next head coach of the Las Vegas team.
Additionally, Pelissero noted that at least one other team with an open spot has inquired about Belichick's availability.
Belichick's contract with UNC provides for a $10 million buyout if the head coach leaves for another job by June 1 of this year, but whether that applies to Belichick's move to the NFL remains to be seen. It's opaque.
This was the only job Belichick interviewed for. atlanta falcons. Rather than hiring a legendary head coach, Atlanta went in a different direction by hiring Raheem Morris. That lack of interest seemed to paint a picture of the league's cooling on Belichick's future as a head coach.
Interest in Belichick appears to be growing, with multiple teams reportedly inquiring about his availability, including one from his former quarterback.
As for whether Belichick will leave UNC anytime soon, it's hard to draw that conclusion considering some of his comments when he was introduced in Chapel Hill. “I always wanted to coach college football, but it never worked out,'' Belichick said. said in december. “I had a good year in the NFL, so that was OK. This really is like a dream come true.”
He was also asked about the very possibility of leaving for an NFL job. Belichick dismissed it as quickly as possible.
“I didn't come here to leave,” Belichick said.
Given Belichick's history in New York, there may at least be an option open to that possibility, but everything the head coach has said and done so far suggests such a door is closed. It leaves an impression.
At least for now.
