Chapel Bill might soon be no more.
Bill Belichick and North Carolina have begun discussing buyout options that would end his tenure as the football program’s head coach, The Read Optional reported. Additionally, Belichick has shown a willingness to use his $1 million buyout if he can find a new job with another team or in media, The Read Optional added to its report. Possible exit strategy options for Belichick were also discussed among UNC athletic department staffers on Wednesday, 247Sports reported.
The news of Belichick’s possible dismissal as UNC’s head coach comes as his tenure in Chapel Hill reached a new low. UNC suffered a blowout 38-10 loss to Clemson on Saturday, moving the Tar Heels to 2-3 on the season. However, it has a 0-3 record against power conference foes, losing by an average of 29 points in those games.
But Belichick’s program has also faced scrutiny for off-field matters. UNC cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins has been suspended after a report from WRAL indicated that he offered extra benefits to a player and his family, FOX Sports’ and The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman reported. The report from WRAL also shared that players were selling tickets that were allotted to them, with a UNC compliance officer notifying players that it’s against NCAA rules.
Recruiting and practice violations have been proven to be found true by UNC as it continues to investigate more serious recruiting violations, according to The Read Optional.
The report from WRAL also shared overall dysfunction surrounding UNC’s program, with a source close to the team reportedly telling the outlet that the Tar Heels are a “complete disaster” under Belichick. Belichick has shut people out in the program and general manager Mike Lombardi was described as “rude” and “nasty,” WRAL’s report added.
There’s also been other off-field drama through the first month-plus of the regular season surrounding UNC. In September, Belichick confirmed that UNC had banned scouts from the New England Patriots from attending practices. Earlier this week, it was reported that the plans for the in-season, behind-the-scenes documentary centered on UNC were scrapped.
As Belichick has struggled at his first-ever college coaching job, FS1’s Colin Cowherd isn’t surprised by the reports that have emerged in recent days.
“Bill Belichick and Mike Lombardi, it has been a disaster,” Cowherd said on “The Herd.” “Parents hate him, administrators can’t stand him. This is what happens when you lose. People keep quiet when you’re winning because nobody wants to hear and you’ll get called out. But when you’re losing, the truth comes out.
“I’ve said this for years: Belichick, when he was in Cleveland, he didn’t treat people well. In New England, he didn’t even treat [Tom] Brady properly. Take into consideration how profitable he was in New England. A few unhealthy seasons, however Robert Kraft was like, ‘You’re outta right here.’ Would you actually do this when you had a heat spot in your coronary heart for him?”
UNC is within the midst of its second bye week in three weeks earlier than it faces Cal on Oct. 17. However whereas UNC solely has one ranked opponent left on its schedule (Virginia), it would take a miracle for it to succeed in six wins and qualify for a bowl sport in 2025. It has the fourth-worst whole offense within the nation and the third-worst scoring offense amongst energy convention groups. UNC additionally ranks within the bottom-third of the ACC in whole protection and scoring protection.
With the Tar Heels teetering beneath Belichick, an unnamed UNC defensive assistant made a blunt evaluation of this system to The Learn Elective.
“What we have carried out to those children is f—ed up,” the unnamed coach told The Read Optional.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter every day!
What did you consider this story?
really helpful
Get more from the College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
