REPORT: Bill Belichick Reached Out To The Most Unexpected AFC Team About Their Head Coaching Vacancy Before He Joined UNC
Bill Belichick was reportedly interested in ending a quarter-century grudge with the longtime rival New York Jets.
After a one-year hiatus from coaching, Bill Belichick agreed to take over as the new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. This will be the first coaching gig in the college ranks for the 72-year-old, who signed a five-year deal with the school.
NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic shared another stunning part of Belichick’s search for a coaching position. According to the report, Belichick actually reached out to the Jets about their HC vacancy despite his longtime beef with the AFC East organization:
“About two weeks ago, the New York Jets were informed (and were stunned to learn) that there was interest in their organization coming from none other than…Bill Belichick. The same Bill Belichick who, famously (or infamously, from the organization’s perspective), was the Jets’ head coach for less than a day 24 years ago, before scribbling on a piece of paper, “I resign as HC of the NYJ.” Belichick took great pleasure in torturing the Jets over his years as Patriots coach — and even more so in the past year as a TV analyst.
For months, Belichick’s inner circle quietly conducted informal conversations with a few teams, testing the waters. A very small circle of people in the Jets building were made aware of his interest, though I was told no meeting or formal conversation ever happened because the UNC opportunity popped up. So, in the end, none of the talks — with the Jets or any other NFL team — turned into anything serious, and now North Carolina is Chapel Bill.”
Belichick was let go by the New England Patriots in January, following a second straight losing and non-playoff season. The Atlanta Falcons were the only team to interview him in the 2024 NFL HC hiring cycle, but they hired Raheem Morris for the role.
As Russini noted, the rivalry between Belichick and the Jets dates back to 2000, when he unexpectedly resigned as their HC to jump for the archrival Patriots. That move continues to haunt the Jets to this day, as the Patriots went on to win six Super Bowls during Belichick’s tenure.
Bill Belichick’s NFL Career May Not Be Done Just Yet
When Belichick accepted the UNC coaching job, fans naturally assumed that he was giving up on returning to the NFL. But it’s important to note that the final two years of his contract aren’t guaranteed, and that UNC has a $1 million buyout option if his deal is terminated after July 1 of next year.
