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Former Patriot Chris Long made a bold prediction about Bill Belichick’s first season at UNC
"We didn't know he was going to take the job the day he took the job," Long said of his fellow "Inside the NFL" colleague.
Chris Long’s take on Bill Belichick as a college coach: Former NFL defensive lineman Chris Long has featured alongside Bill Belichick in this season’s “Inside the NFL.” Still, even he was surprised that the former Patriots coach had decided to take over the head coaching role at the University of North Carolina.
“I think as a football fan, it’s kind of cool to see him in a different setting, to get to see him do something different,” said Long during an interview on “The Rich Eisen Show. “I think that might be part of what motivates him, doing the thing that nobody else imagined him doing.
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“Now, I do work with him at ‘Inside the NFL,’ but we didn’t know anything,” Long claimed, citing Belichick customary evasiveness. “We didn’t know he was going to take the job the day he took the job.”
Long, now 39, won Super Bowl LI with the Patriots, and Super Bowl LII against New England (playing for the Eagles). He’s bullish on Belichick’s chances with UNC in 2025.
“I’ll put it this way,” Long began. “I went through their schedule. I think Bill goes 11-1. I think he loses to Virginia, but otherwise [he won’t] lose.”
Granted, Long is a Virginia alum, and — especially given his smile as he made his prediction — might not be entirely serious in his forecasting.
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Still, Long has experience playing at high levels in both college and the NFL. Specifically, he’s also played in the ACC (where Belichick will be as UNC coach).
Asked about what he thinks Belichick will install, he compared it to former Alabama coach Nick Saban’s ability to make players pro-ready. This, Long noted, could provide an edge in recruiting.
“It’s kind of pro program down there, and I think UNC will be the same thing,” he said. “Now, the results on the field, we’ll see. But those kids are going to get a crash course, and if he stays true to who he is, it’ll be the one place you’ll go where you’re not going to be told what you want to hear.”
In addition, the ex-Patriots lineman believes that Belichick and UNC GM Mike Lombardi will have an early edge on roster building in the age of NIL.
“I think now, more than ever, college athletes are businessmen. That’s the way they have to be.”
Belichick remains within striking distance of the NFL’s all-time wins record by a head coach. This fact (and his possibly interest in it) made it all the more surprising when Belichick took the UNC role.
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Part of that was due to NFL teams passing him by in the coaching changes made after the 2023 season. Long cited the only place that reportedly even had Belichick interview.
“The Falcons thumbed their nose at him,” said Long, referencing the team’s ultimate decision to not hire Belichick despite multiple interviews. “Look at them now.”
Atlanta is currently 7-7, but have lost four of the last five (and barely escaped on Monday night with a win against the last-placed Raiders).
As for the potential end of Belichick’s brief but prolific media career, Long views that as a good investment by the former New England coach.
“I think it’s going to serve him well being on a college campus that he’s done a year in the media,” Long added, “to kind of dust off that old personality of his.”
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The Bruins comeback: In case you missed Tuesday night’s Bruins game, here’s a look at Boston’s comeback.
On this day: In 2014, the Celtics traded Rajon Rondo to the Mavericks along with Dwight Powell in exchange for Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, Brandan Wright, a 2016 1st round draft pick, a 2016 2nd round pick, and a $13 million trade exception.
The deal further signaled Danny Ainge’s effort to rebuild the team, and closed the final page of the last chapter of the previous generation’s Celtics powerhouse (which peaked with its 2008 NBA title).
Daily highlight: Andrew Mangiapane pulled off a great move to first get around the defender and then apply the finish.
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