Bill Belichick was unveiled as the new head coach at the University of North Carolina on Thursday and announced upon his arrival that coaching in college was something he “always wanted.”
The six-time Super Bowl winning coach agreed to a five-year contract at UNC, where his late father served as an assistant coach for the Tar Heels from 1953 to 1955.
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Bill Belichick left the New England Patriots in January after a 24-year career and six Super Bowl titles.
At Belichick’s introductory press conference, UNC chancellor Lee Roberts was armed with a gift: a short-sleeved gray hoodie emblazoned with the UNC logo, a trademark from his NFL coaching days.
“I’ve always wanted to coach in college football,” Belichick told the assembled reporters. “It never really worked out.”
“I had some good years in the NFL, so it was OK.” He added in his usual witty tone.
“It’s really a dream come true. I grew up playing college football with my dad, and he coached in the Navy for 50 years, so as a kid, all I knew was college football.
“I’m really excited to come back home to the Carolinas and get back to the environment where I really grew up.”
The school board approved the terms of a contract to hire Belichick as the new football coach earlier Thursday.
He sat between Roberts and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. He paid his own tribute by wearing a suit jacket with the sleeves cut off to mimic another of Belichick’s sideline looks.
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Neil Reynolds reflected on Belichick’s incredible tenure in New England after it was announced he was leaving the Patriots after 24 seasons.
Belichick, 72, has 333 career wins in the NFL, an NFL record behind only Don Shula’s 347 wins. 31 wins in the playoffs is the most in league history. He has been linked to other NFL jobs since leaving the NFL. The New England Patriots at the end of last season, and especially the Atlanta Falcons in January.
In response to fans’ concerns that he might leave quickly for his next NFL job, Belichick said, “I didn’t come here to leave.”
“I’m here to teach, develop and build the program the way I believe in it, as Bubba said.”
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Bill Belichick’s final press conference with the team after resigning as head coach of the New England Patriots.
And when asked how long he wants to coach, Belichick said:
“I love what I do. I love coaching.”
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