The mastermind behind the Patriots’ legendary dynasty is back in the spotlight! Yep, we’re talking about none other than Bill Belichick—the guy who helped Tom Brady snag six Super Bowl rings and, let’s be real, played a role in his big Patriots exit too. But this time, it’s not about the NFL, and no, it’s not some Netflix roast special either. The buzz is all thanks to North Carolina, who just threw Belichick’s name into the college football conversation. But hold on, fans! Sadly, there is nothing much to be excited about. As the athletic director of North Carolina, Bubba Cunningham has made up his mind. Before Belichick, it was Arthur Smith, the Pittsburgh Steelers OC’s name, who was doing the rounds. But it looks like that deal has no more prospects. 

Yes, Cunningham had arrived at an important decision for North Carolina this season. They had let go of their 73-year-old HC Mack Brown. They didn’t waste much time and started the scouting process early. Looks like, they are now counting on the six-time legendary Super Bowl champion, Belichick. As per the reports, Cunningham and Co. interviewed the ex-Patriots HC on Thursday, December 5. Do you know that both Belichick’s father, Steve, and son Steve, had coached in college football? It’s only him who is yet to debut in the college football landscape. However, there seems to be no assurance whether he would at last fill in Brown’s place or not. As Andy Staples in a conversation with Ari Wasserman hinted at the reality behind the Belichick race, “I think this is my theory that Bubba Cunningham at North Carolina is having some fun with all of us.” 

What made the analyst feel so? For so long, the Steelers HC Smith’s number has been on North Carolina’s speed dial. As Staples stated, “He’s called Arthur Smith former North Carolina player, current Steelers offensive coordinator who is getting a little criticism.” For those who think that if it’s not Belichick, it has to be Smith, here’s some reality check. If it had been the NFL HC, they could have sealed the deal within days since Belichick does not have any commitments at present.

As Staples pointed out, “They fired Mac Brown on a Tuesday morning last week; Bill Belichick they could have hired by Tuesday afternoon. I feel like they’re kind of stringing us out because there’s the person they’re going to hire is coaching a game this weekend.” So, it seems like the next North Carolina head coach is probably busy coaching a big game this weekend. Meanwhile, do you know that Cunningham’s program got snubbed by Smith?

The option that North Carolina explored before Bill Belichick 

When Brown got fired, Smith’s name started to do rounds even before Belichick. That’s when on The Audible podcast, analysts Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel came up with the possibility of North Carolina landing the Pittsburgh HC. And here came a catch! Cunningham and Co. seemed to be more interested in Smith’s father, Frederick Smith, than the coach himself. The reason being, as Mandel guessed, “I also love the idea of Arthur Smith We have not yet in NIL ever had a case where the billionaire is the coach’s dad.”

Well, we can’t push this reason under the carpet. Smith’s father is truly an influential man. After all, he is the founder and executive chairman of FedEx, the $5.4 billion international shipping and courier firm. So, had North Carolina landed Smith, they no longer had to think about NIL anymore.

But their dream to land the top recruits goes unfulfilled. Arthur Smith turned down the North Carolina offer, stating, “I appreciate it, love that place. But that’s not my focus. I’ve got one of the best jobs in football right now. There’s a lot to be said, too, about can’t put a price on personal and professional happiness, which I have here.” Now will Bill Belichick too shut the door? No matter the chatter, the program’s decision has long been made.