Bill Belichick, UNC reportedly discussed HC succession plan involving son Steve Belichick
If hired by the University of North Carolina, the elder Belichick reportedly wants a "guarantee" that his son will be his heir in the program.
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It’s been widely reported that Bill Belichick wants to be back on the sideline with a headset next football season.
The 72-year-old is discussing finer details with the University of North Carolina regarding the football program’s vacant head coaching job, according to Ollie Connolly of The Guardian.
Coming off initial reports on Thursday that the sides have conducted an interview following former HC Mack Brown’s firing, Belichick has reportedly negotiated a succession plan if he were to be hired by UNC.
Per Connolly, the ex-Patriots head coach and general manager wants “a guarantee that Stephen Belichick will be named the school’s coach in waiting.” UNC would apparently be on board with said plan to make Belichick’s son the head coaching heir.
Steve Belichick recently finished his first season as the University of Washington’s defensive coordinator. The younger Belichick coached defensive positions under his father in New England beginning in 2012 until the Patriots and the elder Belichick mutually parted ways earlier this year.
Furthermore, Belichick would be inclined to hire longtime coaching assistant Matt Patricia as well as the Houston Texans’ passing coordinator Ben McDaniels, according to Connolly. Patricia held various sideline roles under Belichick in New England between 2004-22. He most recently held the position of senior defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles last season and is currently a co-host on Belichick’s podcast, “Coach with Bill Belichick,” with Underdog Fantasy.
McDaniels is the brother of former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, as noted by Connolly.
Belichick would also reportedly select a GM to handle the program’s recruiting and NIL business, if hired.
Despite the Monday Morning Quarterback’s Albert Breer reporting that “the most likely scenario” for Belichick is to coach in the NFL in 2025, Connolly reported that he “is open to the move” and isn’t using this reported college interview to “gain leverage” for a NFL gig.
Connolly did note that “Belichick’s preference … remains a return to the NFL.”
Several NFL teams have already fired their head coaches this season in the Chicago Bears (Matt Eberflus), New Orleans Saints (Dennis Allen), and New York Jets (Robert Saleh). However, the question remains: will Belichick want to join one of those struggling franchises? And will those struggling franchises want to hire Belichick plus his potential demands?
Other organizations such as the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants could opt to let go of their respective HCs in Mike McCarthy and Brian Daboll. But, if securing his son’s next coaching position is a priority, Belichick may ultimately make the move to college instead.
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