Bill Belichick Reveals Why He Feels Like A Rookie In College Football

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated May 29, 2025 4:11 PM ET

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick is attempting to acclimate to the college football ranks after a legendary NFL coaching career.

The 73-year-old, who began his NFL coaching career as an assistant in 1975, led the New England Patriots to nine Super Bowl appearances and six Super Bowl titles in 24 seasons at the helm of the franchise.

Belichick departed from the NFL in 2023 as the league's second all-time wins leader among coaches with 333 wins.

Belichick faces the challenge of adjusting to the stark differences from pro football ahead of his first season at the collegiate level.

And despite his experience within the game, he is heavily relying on staffers during the transition. Belichick said as much when referring to himself as the "rookie of the room" when speaking with ESPN's Rece Davis alongside Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.

"College GameDay" host Davis asked Belichick if he has felt the pressure that comes along with his winning expertise.

"No, I'm the rookie of the room," Belichick said.

"You're not a rookie in any room you walk into," Davis replied. "Really, are you if it pertains to football?"

"I'm not as familiar with things as a lot of other coaches, especially like coach Sweeney here," Belichick said. "He's got way more experience in doing a lot of the things that we do in the ACC than I do. Way more. So, I'm watching him. I'm looking at his program – it's a great program."

Swinney is one of two active head coaches with two national championships, with Georgia's Kirby Smart being the other. The Tigers have posted only one single season of less than 10 wins over the last 14 years.

Belichick is well aware of Clemson's winning pedigree and is attempting to model the Tar Heels after Swinney's blueprint.

"I want to try to, you know, copy and do some of the things that he's been very successful with...he's turned out a great product year after year after year after year," Belichick said.

Only time will tell if the Belichick-UNC experiment will pay off. His highly-anticipated college coaching debut will come at home against TCU on Sept. 1.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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