Morning Sports Update

Talks between UNC and Bill Belichick reportedly ‘remain ongoing’

A decision is expected in the coming week.

Bill Belichick UNC report
Bill Belichick is reportedly considering an offer from the University of North Carolina. Steven Senne/AP Photo

By Hayden Bird

3 minutes to read

Bill Belichick as a college coach? The recent rumor that Bill Belichick and the University of North Carolina were reportedly negotiating about the school’s head coach vacancy appears to still be alive after several days.

The latest report, via ESPN college football reporters Pete Thamel and Chris Low, is that the talks between Belichick and UNC “remain ongoing.”

“Sources told ESPN that talks between UNC and Belichick, 73, have continued, with some type of resolution either way expected this week,” noted Thamel and Low. “Belichick is expected to make multiple public appearances this week, which could add some clarity to the level of his interest.”

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UNC needs to have some resolution on the current coaching search soon, with the end of the season looming (and the opening of the NCAA transfer portal on Monday). Given the NIL implications, a team without a coach could see its roster picked apart.

Belichick has never led a college program, and is now 73 years old. According to an earlier report, he was also interested in working in a role for his son, Stephen (currently the defensive coordinator for the University of Washington). Per Ollie Connolly of The Guardian, Belichick wanted to have Stephen named as his successor as the head coach prior to accepting the deal.

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Still, exactly how likely a deal between Belichick and UNC is to actually be made remains to be seen.

“It’s uncertain how deep UNC’s talks with Belichick are,” noted Thamel and Low, “other than they’ve gone on for an extended period of time.”

Trivia: Since 2021, there have been five NFL coaches fired after their first season in charge. Who is the only one of that group to have also won a college football national championship as a coach?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: Jacksonville.

Scores and schedules:

The Boston Fleet got a 4-2 win over the New York Sirens in a PWHL matchup on Sunday. Megan Keller notched a pair of third period goals to make the difference.

The Bruins face the Jets in Winnipeg on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

The Celtics are off until Thursday, when a home matchup with the Pistons awaits.

More from Boston.com:

Tom Brady’s cameo: The former Patriots quarterback stopped by the Fox pregame show to reunite with Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman.

On this day: In 2001, Troy Brown ripped off an 85-yard punt return touchdown in a 27-16 win over the Browns. It may not have been clear to the rest of the NFL at that point, but New England was starting to build momentum (that they would carry to an eventual Super Bowl win).

Daily highlight: Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua made one of the low-key catches of the season, somehow toe-tapping in-bounds.

One more look, replete with a shocked Tom Brady on the call:

Trivia answer: Urban Meyer

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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