Bill Belichick used to be known as a man of core football. Six Super Bowl wins. 3x AP NFL Coach of the Year. Arguably one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time. But now at North Carolina, the narrative is shifting drastically. And his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, has suddenly become the most-talked-about figure in Chapel Hill. 

Wherever Bill Belichick goes, Jordon Hudson is there. Sitting in on national interviews. Stirring up PR whispers. Drawing the kind of attention that UNC definitely didn’t sign up for when they handed the reins to the 73-year-old legend with zero college football experience. And now things have gone from strange to full-blown surreal. Last week, insider Pablo Torre lit the fuse, reporting that the Tar Heels banned Hudson from the team’s facility. The school immediately fired back, saying she was still welcome. So what’s the situation here?

Pete Thamel delved into a serious discussion on the Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson fiasco in an episode on ESPN College Football on May 14. “What UNC has said was clear and clearly planned and that going forward, we won’t see Jordon Hudson affiliated with UNC football other than being Bill Belichick’s girlfriend.”

But Rece Davis objects to Thamel’s statement. “I don’t agree with you Pete,” he said. “The other things they did say, she’s welcome at the facility. I imagine she’s helping him with the social media presence which a lot of coaches nowadays need. So I’m not going to be surprised if she’s around.” Well, social media isn’t exactly Bill Belichick’s forte, so that role can’t be ruled out.

Having someone who gets the digital game, like Jordon Hudson, could be strategic for Bill Belichick. But there’s apprehension because recently, words floated around that she might be filling in the role of the HC’s PR spot. Word is that she’s basically trying to replace Berj Najarian, the guy who ran PR for Belichick for 24 years. And it seems like she’s making more mess than there ever was. And that’s definitely not a good look when the whole country is watching you.

The whole soap opera escalated after that super awkward CBS Mornings interview where Jordon Hudson sat on Bill Belichick’s segment and even jumped in mid-question. She was a “constant presence,” they said. Not only that, she refused to answer their relationship questions and allegedly stormed off set, delaying the interview. So it’s no surprise that narratives about her controlling her boyfriend’s life crept up, with even her alleged masked UNC role rising to the surface. But Belichick slammed the rumors, saying, “She doesn’t have anything to do with UNC football.” But here’s where it gets more interesting. 

Will Bill Belichick coach at UNC?

Bill Belichick hasn’t even coached a single game against UNC yet. But rumors are flying that he might not make it to Week 1. According to Torre, during his appearance on The Dominique Foxworth Show, “I think there’s a chance, an absolute real chance, that he doesn’t (coach UNC’s Week 1 game).” Why? It’s the money. June 1 is a magic date. “Everybody who follows contractual language pointed out that on June 1 the buyout of Bill Belichick goes from $10 million to $1 million if Bill wanted to escape hatch,” he reported. But for Rece Davis, that’s a laughable context.

“I will say this. From my interactions from my talks both on camera and off, this notion that it’s even a remote possibility that somehow he wouldn’t coach seems preposterous to me,” Davis said. And the ACC seems to agree. Even ACC commissioner Jim Phillips made a bold revelation — “(ESPN) ran to us, before we could even run to them (about televising more UNC games). It’s a great thing for ACC, a great thing for North Carolina & we are all following the massive coverage that Coach Belichick draws.” The former NFL HC rolled into Chapel Hill with cash, cameras, and clout. It’s the perfect storm. 

So buckle up guys. This isn’t just a football story anymore. It’s reality TV meets the gridiron with Bill Belichick front and center.