Bill Belichick Says CFB Players Have 'Fewer Bad Habits to Break,' Are More Coachable

Bill Belichick certainly got the most out of his players as arguably the greatest coach in NFL history, but his latest comments suggest it might be even easier for him to maximize skill sets at the collegiate level.

"There are fewer bad habits to break," he told reporters Thursday when discussing the difference between coaching NFL and college players. "Players are much more receptive to the coaching."

Belichick shocked the football world when he became the head coach at North Carolina after such a dominant career leading the New England Patriots, but his comments might provide a behind-the-scenes look at his motivation.

This is a new challenge at a new level with a group of players who will be entirely different than the NFL ones he led for so long. If he can find success at North Carolina with a program that has won double-digit games just once since 1997, it will only add to his legacy as an all-time great.

And that legacy is already fairly secured, as Belichick reached nine Super Bowls and won six Lombardi Trophies with the Patriots. He and Tom Brady are arguably the greatest coach-player combination in sports history and were responsible for building a modern-day dynasty.

Reaching that level at North Carolina is unrealistic, but there is plenty of room for improvement with a group of players that he sees as more coachable.

Belichick will immediately be thrown into the college football fire, as the Tar Heels open the season against TCU in an important cross-conference matchup on a national stage on Monday, Sept. 1.

A win could quickly set the tone ahead of an ACC schedule that isn't as challenging as one might expect. While North Carolina faces Clemson, that game is at home. It also doesn't face Miami, Florida State or SMU in conference play, meaning an improvement on last year's 6-7 mark should be the baseline of expectations.

With fewer bad habits for Belichick to break leading up to the season, don't be surprised if North Carolina gets off to a quick start during his tenure.