UNC Football

North Carolina officially unveiled Bill Belichick as its new head football coach on Thursday, bringing the NFL lifer to the college level for the first time in his coaching career.

The Tar Heels made it very worth his while from a financial standpoint, with reports indicating that Belichick was signed to a five-year deal with plenty of bonuses and incentives, though he'll also have a relatively affordable buyout clause after just one season:

Terms of Bill Belichick’s 5-year deal. The first three years of the deal are fully guaranteed.
The final two are not. pic.twitter.com/yTwJWBxURd

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) December 12, 2024

Well, UNC has secured him for at least *one* season. https://t.co/2f2IYyTnvF

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 12, 2024

He also has:
$10 million "assistant coach salary pool"
$1 million for strength staff
$5.3 million for support staff, including GM
$13 million as "revenue sharing" https://t.co/soVuZsv71n

— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) December 12, 2024

The buyout clause led to some raised eyebrows around the sporting world, leaving open the possibility of Belichick departing for the NFL relatively early in his UNC tenure, though the longtime head coach offered little indication he was leaving himself an exit strategy.

"I didn't come here to leave," he told reporters during his introductory press conference.

He spoke on a number of topics Thursday, including recruiting, making the move to college and why he wanted to continue coaching at the age of 72:

"I think the recruiting process belongs to everyone.... Certainly the head coach has a big role in that as well," Bill Belichick says when asked at his presser how hands-on he will be in recruiting.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) December 12, 2024

"College kind of came to me this year. I didn't necessarily go and seek it out," Bill Belichick says at his presser at North Carolina.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) December 12, 2024

"I believe we're going to run a good program and have a good team," Bill Belichick says at his introductory presser at North Carolina.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) December 12, 2024

Belichick on why he's still coaching: "Beats working ... I love what I do. I love coaching. I love the interaction with players. I love building a team, working with the assistants, game planning, the game itself."

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 12, 2024

Belichick told reporters he will run North Carolina like a "pro program" in terms of "training, developing players, running pro systems, pro techniques."

"So when the players leave here, this isn't going from the wishbone to a pro offense," he continued. "It will be similar terminology, similar techniques and fundamentals, similar training, similar preparation techniques that have been very successful for me through the years, whether other college teams use them or not. I mean, some are, some aren't, but I just know that these will prepare the players for that. So the general manager, head coach model, it's a similar type of situation for evaluating high school kids and college transfer portal players. NFL teams are evaluating college players and NFL free agent players. So again, there are some similarities."

It will be fascinating, of course, to see just how involved Belichick will be as a recruiter, how much money a basketball school will be able to raise in NIL deals for the football program, or whether his no-nonsense, machine-like approach to winning at all costs will resonate with younger players.

NFL players are elite professionals who can focus solely on their craft, without worrying about going to class. The college game is a different world, and how Belichick navigates it will be one of the more intriguing stories to follow in the sport in the coming years.

Bill Belichick divulged Thursday that he spoke to legendary University of North Carolina and Chicago Bulls basketball star Michael Jordan before accepting the position of head football coach at UNC.

According to TMZ Sports, Belichick said at his introductory press conference that he also talked to Pro Football Hall of Famers and UNC alums Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers.

Belichick did not reveal the exact nature of the conversations with Jordan, Taylor and Peppers, other than to say they were "very supportive."

The 72-year-old coach added: "There's been a ton of support from ex-players and other UNC alums. This is a great brand and a great support system here. So I'm excited to spend more time with these people."

Jordan famously starred with the Tar Heels from 1981 to 1984, leading them to a national championship in 1982 and winning National College Player of the Year in 1984.

He then spent 13 seasons with the Bulls, establishing himself as arguably the greatest basketball player of all time by virtue of his five NBA MVP awards, six NBA championships and six NBA Finals MVP awards.

Given Jordan's legendary status and the fact that he went to UNC and grew up in North Carolina, his blessing may have been an important aspect of Belichick and the University of North Carolina reaching a deal.

Belichick and UNC agreed to a five-year deal, which will see the NFL legend coach collegiately for the first time in his illustrious career.

He spent 29 seasons as a head coach with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, going 302-165. In his 24 seasons with the Pats, he led them to 17 AFC East titles, nine Super Bowl appearances and six Super Bowl wins.

Belichick also won a pair of Super Bowls as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator, and Taylor was his star defensive player in New York.

After Belichick and the Patriots parted ways following a 4-13 season in 2023, the expectation was that he would land on his feet as the head coach of a different NFL team.

Instead, he didn't come away with a job from the last hiring cycle, and he opted to join the college ranks rather than interviewing for more NFL jobs at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

UNC will count on Belichick to turn around a program that went 6-6 this season and has not won 10 or more games in a season since 2015.

While North Carolina has won six national titles in men's basketball, it has never come particularly close in football, but Belichick has a championship pedigree that could prove to be a game-changer.

Legendary head coach Bill Belichick has officially ditched the navy blue of the New England Patriots for Carolina Blue.

Belichick was officially introduced as the next head coach of the UNC football team on Thursday in a press conference that featured multiple memorable moments.

The six-time Super Bowl champion head coach revealed that he has been considering coaching in college football for quite a while, but the timing hasn't worked out until now. He called it a "kind of dream come true":

New UNC coach Bill Belichick: "I've always wanted to coach in college football. It just never really worked out. Had some good years in the NFL... so that was OK."

"It's great to come back home to Carolina and come back home to an environment I grew up in."

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2024

Bill Belichick at his introductory news conference: “I’ve always wanted to coach in college football and it just never really worked out. This is kind of a dream come true.”

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 12, 2024

"College kinda came to me this year. I didn't necessarily go and seek it out."

Bill Belichick on how this came about

— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) December 12, 2024

In a hilarious moment, North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham presented Belichick with his first short-sleeve UNC hoodie and then put on a suit jacket with the sleeves cut off in solidarity:

UNC AD Bubba Cunningham brought out the sleeveless suit in honor of Bill Belichick:

pic.twitter.com/PWsKCkllzs

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 12, 2024

Bill Belichick got a short sleeve hoodie and the chancellor put on a jacket with ripped off sleeves pic.twitter.com/z6DNBCp1mb

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) December 12, 2024

Belichick's father, Steve, served as an assistant coach for the Tar Heels from 1953 to 1955, and he showed off his dad's team sweatshirt that he saved all this time:

Bill Belichick brought his dad's UNC sweatshirt from when Steve coached in Chapel Hill in the mid-50s. Remarkable he kept it this long. pic.twitter.com/lOwkBA4lMl

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) December 12, 2024

After going unhired by NFL teams during the 2024 hiring cycle, Belichick spent this season working as an analyst for multiple networks. Still, at 72 years old, he hasn't lost his passion for coaching:

Bill Belichick was asked why he keeps coaching at his age:

"It beats working" pic.twitter.com/dZnKKG23je

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 12, 2024

Bill Belichick on why, at 72, that he wants to keep coaching: “It beats work’n. When you love what you do, it’s not work. I love interaction with players, building a team, game-planning, the game itself.”

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 12, 2024

Still, Belichick admitted that he's gained a new appreciation for the media in his brief time as an analyst:

Bill Belichick: "I learned it's a lot of fun being in the media. That's not bad."

— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) December 12, 2024

When asked about what he hopes to accomplish after taking over as head coach of UNC, Belichick said his priority is to impart his knowledge to the next generation of football players:

"I'm here to... teach, develop and build the program in the way I believe in...I look forward to working here. I talked to the players a little earlier. That was a great opportunity to start to get to know them."

Bill Belichick speaking now about taking over at UNC

— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) December 12, 2024

Belichick explained his thought process in putting his coaching staff together and revealed that former Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens is his first hire. Kitchens was already on staff at UNC after serving as tight ends coach and run game coordinator for the past two seasons and briefly holding the interim head coach position after Mack Brown was fired following the team's 6-6 finish to this year:

Bill Belichick: “We’ll hire the best coaches we can. There are several coaches involved in bowl games”

“There will certainly be a strong presence of NFL coaches on the staff”

— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) December 12, 2024

Former #Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, who is already on the staff at UNC, will be Belichick's first hire, he announced. https://t.co/VDhFpvKOyk

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2024

Belichick, who signed a five-year, $50 million contract, said he's confident in his ability to continue coaching for years to come:

Bill Belichick on how much longer he wants to coach:

"I feel like doing it a long time. I'm good to go."

— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) December 12, 2024

However, coaching in college will be an adjustment, as NIL rules, transfer portal changes and conference realignment have created a new landscape for coaches to navigate. Many wondered if Belichick would be willing to go through the throes of recruiting, like in-home visits, and he answered affirmatively:

Will Bill Belichick make in-home recruiting visits?

"I'd love to do that. ... Absolutely."

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 12, 2024

Belichick also shot down the rumors that he submitted a 400-page "organizational bible" that included stipulations and demands before he was hired:

Bill Belichick says the report of him giving UNC officials a large document during the search are not true.

"Don't believe everything you read in the papers. I don't have a 400-page document."

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 12, 2024

Belichick: "I don't have a 400 page document."

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) December 12, 2024

Perhaps most importantly, Belichick feels like he's where he's supposed to be. He provided a little tidbit of growing up while his dad worked for UNC that serves as the primary philosophy of any Tar Heels head coach:

Bill Belichick says his first words as a baby were "Beat Duke" 🤣

(via @UNCFootball) pic.twitter.com/KYhHOO3cA6

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 12, 2024

Bill Belichick says one story he always heard growing up was "Billy's first words were 'beat Duke'"

— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) December 12, 2024

UNC is set to enter a new era under Belichick, and it's clear that he's excited about his new challenge in his return to coaching.

Bill Belichick made it abundantly clear that taking the head coaching job at North Carolina isn't part of a grand plan to return to the NFL.

Belichick said Thursday during his introductory press conference with the Tar Heels that he "didn't come here to leave." He added that working in college football is a "dream come true."

"I had some good years in the NFL and that was okay, but this is really a dream come true ... as a kid all I knew was college football"

-Bill Belichick on becoming UNC's head coach pic.twitter.com/dUvTBKPq3b

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 12, 2024

Given his age, it goes without saying that the 72-year-old Belichick is basically closing the door on the NFL by choosing to take the Carolina job. But the response is probably something he was hoping to enter into the record because negative recruiting is part of college sports.

When they're speaking with prospective recruits, opposing coaches will almost certainly float the idea that Belichick is just using UNC to get one more shot in the NFL whether it's true or not.

Beyond the fact it looks like NFL teams writ large have moved on from the six-time Super Bowl champion, ESPN's Seth Wickersham detailed how he grew disaffected with how teams are running their operations now.

Wickersham cited one source who said Belichick became "disgusted" with the NFL, and another source said accepting North Carolina's offer is "a big f--k you" to the league.

In Chapel Hill, the legendary coach will have the freedom to pretty much build the program as he sees fit. During an appearance this week on The Pat McAfee Show before his deal with NFL was official, he said he envisioned leading "an NFL program at a college level."

"IF I was in a College program it would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players that had the ability to play in the NFL..

It would be a professional program at the College level..

I don't have any doubt that the players would be ready for the NFL" ~ Bill Belichick #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/JyMDtzs2yR

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 9, 2024

In Thursday's press conference, he pointed to his player development track record with the New England Patriots to help bolster his pitch.

Bill Belichick on developing younger players:

"Tom Brady was a 4th string QB his rookie year ... [Rob] Gronkowski didn't do too much his rookie year ... [Julian] Edelman played QB in college ... developing players is something we believe strongly in" pic.twitter.com/f1785Zq4GE

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 12, 2024

For now, Belichick and North Carolina are firmly in their honeymoon phase. They're both hoping the momentum from his hire will not only help pad the Tar Heels' NIL coffers but also entice high school players and those in the transfer portal to sign on for 2025.

The official X account for the University of North Carolina football team used a viral Family Guy edit to celebrate the arrival of Bill Belichick as head coach on Thursday.

In the video posted by UNC Football, Family Guy star Peter Griffin introduces himself to a cartoon version of Belichick, leading to a highlight video of Tar Heels players and fans, as well as Belichick coaching for the New England Patriots:

Chapel Bill 😎 pic.twitter.com/Z61LnVYGKe

— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) December 12, 2024

Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Adam Schefter and Chris Low, Belichick was announced as the Tar Heels' new head coach on Wednesday night, and his five-year contract with North Carolina was approved by the board of trustees on Thursday.

In recent weeks, it has been a trend on X for a poster to meld a Family Guy clip together with a highlight video featuring whichever celebrity is mentioned in the clip, which is the genesis of UNC's post.

While it is unlikely that Belichick would understand any aspect of UNC's post, he certainly knows how to coach football.

The 72-year-old spent 29 seasons as an NFL head coach with the Cleveland Browns and, most famously, the England Patriots.

During his 24-year run in New England, Belichick led the Pats to a 266-121 record, 17 AFC East titles, nine Super Bowl appearances and six Super Bowl wins.

Belichick and the Patriots agreed to part ways after a 4-13 season in 2023, but no NFL team hired him for the 2024 campaign. He was widely expected to give it another go during the upcoming hiring circle, but he decided to make the move to the college ranks instead.

While Belichick has never coached at the collegiate level, he gives North Carolina some instant cachet given his status as arguably the greatest head coach in NFL history.

After going a disappointing 6-6 this season, North Carolina fired Mack Brown, paving the way for Belichick's arrival.

Although the Tar Heels haven't won double-digit games since 2015 and have rarely been a national championship contender during the existence of the program, Belichick may be the coach capable of taking North Carolina to the top.

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury summed up what a lot of fans are feeling with the news that Bill Belichick is North Carolina's new football coach.

"I will have to see him on the sideline to believe that's happening," Kingsbury said Thursday, per the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. "We'll see how the NFL jobs search goes and all that. I will have to see him on the sideline coaching in Chapel Hill to believe that's happening."

Kingsbury was also candid about how he thinks Belichick might operate in a college setting:

More from Kingsbury, on envisioning Belichick coaching in the NIL era: “I got to just sit around and observe last year and, no. I don’t see my man going to any home visits or doing like the cocktail hour after the visits. I just don’t. Maybe he’ll set it up like an NFL deal, but…

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 12, 2024

When the six-time Super Bowl champion was first linked with the UNC job, a lot of fans probably considered it as his way of trying to gain some leverage in any negotiations with NFL teams. As the days unfolded, it became clear his pursuit of the vacancy was entirely genuine.

ESPN's Seth Wickersham reported that Belichick had been warming to the idea of coaching in college for a while and that he grew "'disgusted' in what he believes the NFL had become."

The 72-year-old's pitch to North Carolina reportedly included an "organizational bible" totaling 400 pages that laid out his entire vision. He offered a peek into that plan during his appearance this week on The Pat McAfee Show:

"IF I was in a College program it would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players that had the ability to play in the NFL..

It would be a professional program at the College level..

I don't have any doubt that the players would be ready for the NFL" ~ Bill Belichick #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/JyMDtzs2yR

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 9, 2024

Belichick's success in the NFL speaks for itself. He's the greatest coach of the modern era.

Major college sports are also increasingly looking like their pro equivalents thanks to the arrival of NIL and the transfer portal as well. Schools are beginning to build front office-like structures internally because the duties behind managing a roster have expanded so much.

Because of that, going from NFL coaching to working in college may not be the jarring transition it once was.

Still, the risk behind hiring somebody—no matter how decorated—without any college coaching experience to lead such a large-scale project is pretty obvious.

And the sight of Belichick wearing Carolina Blue will take some getting used to.

Bill Belichick has the support of one of the biggest names in college football as he prepares to take over as the head coach of North Carolina.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders took to social media Thursday and said the Tar Heels hiring the legendary coach "is a great thing for College Football" and compared his overall impact on the coaching profession to that of Nick Saban:

Coach Bill Belichick is a coaches Coach to All us Coaches along with my man Coach Saban! They’re game changers and they know how to move people forward. I know this is a great thing for College Football & for North Carolina. God bless u Coach, if you’re happy I am 2! #CoachPrime

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) December 12, 2024

There are some parallels between Belichick taking over at North Carolina and when Sanders took over at Colorado.

Both were name-brand programs looking for a much-needed spark. The Buffaloes have one double-digit win season since 2001, while the Tar Heels have just one since 1997. Sanders generated far more attention than Colorado had seen in years and put the program firmly under the spotlight.

Belichick will surely do the same for North Carolina.

It was a bumpy start for Sanders, as the Buffaloes went 4-8 in his first season as head coach in 2023. However, they made significant strides into his second season and went 9-3 while remaining a factor in the Big 12 race until the final weekend.

While a move from the loaded Pac-12 to the more manageable Big 12 certainly helped, Sanders deserves plenty of credit for quickly turning the Buffaloes' fortunes around in just two years.

Belichick will look to do the same for the Tar Heels after they went 6-6 this season and fired head coach Mack Brown.

It may take some time until they catch up to the likes of Clemson, SMU and Miami in the ACC, but the new coach provides instant name recognition that will surely help on the recruiting trail and with the transfer portal. After all, he is a six-time Super Bowl champion and arguably the greatest coach in NFL history.

There are surely far more prospects who now have North Carolina on their radar than there was even 48 hours ago, and Belichick will look to parlay that into a quick turnaround much like Sanders did at Colorado.

As Bill Belichick prepares to be officially announced as North Carolina's new head coach on Thursday, he is already at work recruiting players to the Tar Heels for the 2025 season.

Per On3 Sports, North Carolina has given an offer to Malachi Hosley after the running back entered the transfer portal earlier this month following a successful two-year stint at Penn.

Bill Belichick and North Carolina have sent out an offer to Penn transfer RB Malachi Hosley🐏

Hosley rushed for 1,192 yards and 9 touchdowns this season.https://t.co/Tp38IjnYIl pic.twitter.com/sYjPc51wYy

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) December 12, 2024

Per The Athletic's Brendan Marks, Belichick agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal to become the Tar Heels' new head coach.

Brian Murphy of WRAL added that North Carolina's board of trustees approved the contract and an introductory press conference will be held for Belichick on Thursday at 2 p.m. ET.

This marks the first time that Belichick will coach at the college level. He spent 48 consecutive years coaching in the NFL from 1975 to 2023, with the final 24 years being head coach of the New England Patriots.

The North Carolina job opened up on Nov. 26 when Mack Brown was fired after six seasons. He led the program to bowl games all six years, including 2024. Freddie Kitchens, who has been tight ends coach and run game coordinator on Brown's staff since 2023, will be the interim head coach for the Fenway Bowl against Connecticut on Dec. 28.

Hosley announced on Nov. 25 that he was entering the transfer portal following a successful two-year stint at Penn.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. pic.twitter.com/0GZKGzsB6a

— Malachi Hosley (@hosley_malachi) November 25, 2024

The Georgia native was named to the All-Ivy league first team and Ivy League Rookie of the Year as a freshman in 2023. He ran for 732 yards and seven touchdowns in nine games.

As a sophomore in 2024, Hosley led the Ivy League with 1,192 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. His 6.2 yards per carry led all players in the conference with at least 100 rushing attempts.

Given the uncertain coaching situation in North Carolina prior to the Belichick announcement, the Tar Heels currently have the lowest-ranked 2025 recruiting class in the ACC by 247Sports' composite rankings.

The incoming freshman class features nine total commits, including two 4-star players in quarterback Bryce Baker and EDGE Austin Alexander.

Bill Belichick is just 14 wins behind Don Shula's all-time NFL record of 347, but he isn't going to close that gap in the immediate future after North Carolina announced Wednesday it hired him as its next head coach.

However, that record reportedly wasn't the only thing driving Belichick's decision-making process as he looked for his next job.

"He told confidants that Shula's record mattered to him, but it wasn't the essential thing," ESPN's Seth Wickersham reported Thursday. "It wasn't why he has worked hours that have come with a steep personal price. He has always competed as if his self-worth was tied to the result. Losses took on a life of their own.

"Imagine the throttled rage inside him all spring after a group of men who routinely botch their most important hire not only mostly ignored him but gloated about it, telling ESPN that he was 'voted off the island.' He never forgets. Belichick knew that he'd have to compromise if he got another NFL job, maybe even more than the year before, and also knew that he faced a league that was skeptical of him."

This update comes after ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported there was a "sense" around the league that Belichick wasn't going to generate much interest from NFL teams looking for a new coach this offseason.

Nobody hired him last offseason after he and the New England Patriots parted ways, and he instead took the opportunity to move to the college game rather than wait around and see what develops at the NFL level.

Still, this was a shocking development.

He is arguably the best coach in football history with a resume that includes nine Super Bowl appearances and six Lombardi Trophies. He helped orchestrate maybe the best dynasty in NFL history alongside Tom Brady and will provide instant name recognition to a North Carolina team that has often been overshadowed by the basketball program.

And there is something to be said about the level of control he will have at the college game.

"I'll go be the highest draw in college football, and will have the greatest coach in the ACC, instead of you guys who don't want [him] anymore because there are people who don't deserve to be empowered," a source familiar with his thinking told Wickersham. "... Everyone is running away from college football. I think Bill thinks this landscape is better for him. ... More transactional and less relational. In his mind, this is better for me."

Perhaps the biggest question is how Belichick will handle the challenges that are unique to college football that he did not deal with in the NFL.

Those include recruiting high school prospects, as well as his own players and other stars across the country with the presence of the transfer portal. Yet recruiting in the modern-day age of college football is different than it once was, as money and roster management now play a significant role with name, image and likeness opportunities.

There is overlap to the job of an NFL general manager given the money factor, and that is something Belichick is familiar with from his time on the Patriots.

North Carolina will be appointment viewing with the legendary coach leading the way, and he now has a chance to add to his legacy with success at a different level even if he may never catch Shula in the NFL.

Bill Belichick made the move from the NFL to college football—with a brief detour into some media duties this year—on Wednesday, officially becoming the head coach at North Carolina.

His former quarterback, Tom Brady, reacted to the news by referencing the old New England Patriots' philosophy, "The Patriot Way."

Tom Brady reacts to Bill Belichick becoming North Carolina’s next head coach:

“Congrats Coach

The Tar Heel way is about to become a thing 💯”

(IG: @tombrady) pic.twitter.com/Iyv0i2D9aP

— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) December 12, 2024

Former Patriots running back Kevin Faulk offered his own definition for "The Patriot Way" in an article for The Players' Tribune back in 2017:

Some people say it's the way Coach Belichick runs the team, preaching accountability and placing a strong emphasis on doing your job. Some say it's our style of play, with Brady as our quarterback. But truthfully, it's neither. The Patriot Way ain't about nothing but winning, man. That's it. See, Coach Belichick is the kind of guy who doesn't care what you do on your own time. He wants you to know football and he wants you to come to work every day and do your job to the best of your ability. Anything else, he doesn't really care.

"The Patriot Way" resulted in six titles during the Belichick and Brady years, and trying to mimic that type of success at North Carolina—traditionally a basketball school—will be no easy task. And unlike in the NFL, Belichick may need to reiterate to his players that keeping their grades up to maintain eligibility is important.

The transition will be a lot smoother, however, if North Carolina's players understand the central tenet of a Belichick team—it ain't about nothing but winning, man.