Bill Belichick Reveals if He'd Return to NFL Ahead of 2nd CFB Season as UNC HC

UNC football head coach Bill Belichick, who is entering his second season with the Tar Heels after a 49-year stint in the NFL, was asked on Thursday whether he would consider returning to the pros. He provided the following response.

Belichick made his remarks from Ireland, where the Tar Heels will open the season on Saturday against TCU in Dublin.

Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million contract to become UNC's next head coach. However, the final two seasons of the contract aren't guaranteed.

His first season went poorly. UNC went 4-8 and 2-6 in the ACC. Five of the Tar Heels' losses were by 16 or more points.

On Oct. 8, 2025, Belichick reaffirmed his commitment to the Tar Heels, and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham announced his full support as well.

One month later, the New York Giants' head coaching job opened after the team parted ways with Brian Daboll. Belichick was the New York Giants' defensive coordinator from 1983-1990 and won two Super Bowls with the organization.

Speculation, of course, connected Belichick to the Giants, and he released another statement confirming his commitment to UNC.

"Despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies," Belichick said in part.

Belichick did express his great respect for the Mara and Tisch families, who co-own the team, but he told the public he was remaining in Chapel Hill.

"We have tremendous support from the university, our alumni, and the entire Carolina community. My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players, and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud."

UNC has endured a difficult offseason. Of note, general manager Michael Lombardi, who previously worked with Belichick in the NFL, being placed on paid administrative leave.

Belichick's oldest son, UNC defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, is unfortunately out indefinitely on medical leave.

UNC landed 15th out of 17 teams in the ACC's preseason poll, which consisted of 185 credentialed media members' opinions about the conference's order of finish.

We'll see how the Tar Heels do soon enough, though, beginning Saturday. Their first ACC game will be on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Clemson.