Bill Belichick sweepstakes underway with unexpected suitor reportedly joining the mix

As unexpected as Belichick's name to see floated in conversations for a college coaching gig, it makes sense why North Carolina would show interest.

The Tar Heels perennially were awful on defense under Brown, including this season, with the unit ranking 91st in scoring defense (28.2 points allowed per game).

Belichick is known for his defensive acumen, so his insights into how the program can fix that side of the ball would be valuable.

But it would still be massively shocking if Belichick is relegated to the college ranks for his next job.

North Carolina's pursuit of Belichick should spark NFL teams' interest in arguably the greatest coach in league history.

The Atlanta Falcons might wish they could have a do-over after hiring Raheem Morris as their head coach despite interviewing Belichick for the opening this past offseason.

The Falcons are 6-6 and have a worse point-differential (minus-34) this season than through 12 games last year (minus-14) when finishing the season 7-10.

If teams with 2025 head-coaching openings allow Belichick to slip way into the college ranks, they'll be heavily scrutinized should their decision to pass on him backfire.

Belichick wants to coach again. The Athletic reported in November about Belichick's desires to return to coaching after spending the 2024 season in broadcasting. While he belongs on an NFL sideline, he'll seemingly settle for one in college.

It shouldn't reach that point, but Belichick's reported North Carolina interview indicates he plans to get into coaching whether the NFL wants him or not.