UNC is 2-3 under Bill Belichick, with three ugly losses where they’ve been outscored 120-33. Saturday’s 38-10 drubbing by Clemson was a public undressing. The Tigers led 28-3 before fans even finished their stadium nachos. And that is when the murmurs began to roar. “He’s working toward being the worst coach in college football history. That’s how bad he is,” CFB analyst Paul Finebaum fired. “There’s nothing to be happy about, it’s an object disaster. I feel badly for the guy.” But apparently, there are some who don’t feel bad at all. 

What came next was schadenfreude, and it came from the HC’s own coaching fraternity. In a new episode on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on October 8, Colin Cowherd didn’t hit the brakes. “I’ll tell you this. I think college football coaches love that Belichick is doing a belly flop. This thing is a mess,” he said. “And what college football coaches have always said is we’re dealing with 19 year olds and their parents and donors and boosters and a goofy NCAA. College football coaching, you don’t get vacations.” It’s not that Bill Belichick’s forgotten football. It’s that he’s entered a world where X’s and O’s come second to politics and patience. 

As guest Joel Klatt explained, being a college coach isn’t just about football anymore. “It’s also more of a CEO role than it is a head coaching role,” he said. “For instance, right after the season, you got to spend three days meeting with every single player and every single agent and talking about the revenue share, what line of the revenue share you’re going to get.” And then there’s the field, which is also not radiating positive vibes. As the Fox analyst added, “Right now, there’s just not a cohesiveness and connection with what I see on the field.” That disconnect is glaring. Players look confused, assistants frustrated, and fans outraged. But what’s truly making headlines is what’s brewing behind the scenes in Chapel Hill.

Per The Guardian, Bill Belichick has already discussed potential buyout options less than halfway through his first season. If he walks, he owes UNC $1 million. If they fire him, the Tar Heels owe him $20 million, unless they prove “cause.” Now that “cause” may be forming. Assistant coach Armond Hawkins was suspended this week for giving illegal sideline benefits to a player’s family. Meanwhile, reports claim UNC has already uncovered “practice and recruiting violations.” And Bill Belichick has been described internally as “weird” and “distant.” Some coaches couldn’t even reach him during the bye week. So, with smoke everywhere, Carolina Athletics had to step up and grab the mic.

North Carolina issues statement amid Bill Belichick’s buyout headlines 

Amid the firing and buyout speculation, UNC Tar Heels just dropped statements from Carolina Athletics on X. It started with Bill Belichick’s which read, “I’m fully committed to UNC Football and the program we’re building here.” UNC AD Bubba Cunningham also stated, “Coach Belichick had the full support of the Department of Athletics and University.” But inside the locker room, the vibes are anything but supportive. 

Sophomore receiver Jordan Shipp bluntly told reporters, “I came here to win, not to rebuild.” And fans are leaving Kenan Stadium by halftime rather than watch a messy game. The schedule ahead doesn’t get any kinder for the 73-year-old coach trying to prove he belongs. The Tar Heels still have Cal, No. 19 Virginia, Syracuse, Stanford, Wake Forest, Duke, and NC State waiting. Every matchup feels like another chance for Billy Belichick’s experiment to either redeem itself or crash harder.

North Carolina heads to Cal on October 17, with rumors, criticism, and maybe even more violations following close behind. One thing’s for sure. College football coaches aren’t losing sleep over Bill Belichick’s struggles. They’re watching and like Colin Cowherd said, maybe even smiling.