Bill The UNC Tar Heels are a fabled school in the collegiate sport paradigm. However, that reputation stems from the hardwood, not the gridiron. When the football program abruptly dismissed their winningest HC Mack Brown, most expected them to pivot. Pivot into perhaps chancing on a young, up-and-coming coach garnering plaudits somewhere as a coordinator. Maybe even lure a head coach to jump ship. What transpired is the most shocking revelation to hit the sport in eons- they hired Bill Belichick. 

With his first off-season in Chapel Hill well underway, UNC are reaping the rewards that naturally come with having a figure of this ilk. The proverbial GOAT. However, Tar Heels football suddenly becoming mainstream has not been entirely positive. With such a publicly revered icon stepping into uncharted territory, there is a whole lot of buzz. Everyone wishes to know how Belichick builds a college program from scratch. Witnessing the nitty-gritty of the modern iteration of what he built in New England. After all, Belichick insists he’s going about things in the background exactly how he did with the Patriots initially. People were led to believe this wish was coming true.

Reports circulated over the weekend that the “Hard Knocks” shall be covering UNC this upcoming season. For the uninitiated, it’s a docuseries produced by NFL Films for HBO. Which provides a behind-the-scenes outlook on NFL franchises. Last season, it did the Giants, Bears and the entirety of the AFC North. With the magnetic Belichick now at the helm, it was said they’ll delve into College Football. However, the reports have been thwarted. UNC won’t feature on Hard Knocks. This was confirmed by CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. “NFL Films had discussions with Coach Belichick and UNC about appearing on Hard Knocks this offseason but couldn’t reach an agreement,” read his report. The social media verse didn’t take this too well, and is piling onto Bill Belichick’s misery.

To be fair, not being on Hard Knocks probably serves UNC well. It’s the first year of a completely new regime. From personnel in the front office all the way down to the players. Players who are college kids. Having a camera crew follow you around during this developmental phase of your life probably isn’t ideal. Conversely, it would’ve been great exposure for those players to build their individual brands for NIL opportunities. As well as warm themselves to fans nationwide. Alas, it’s not like there won’t be enough exposure without HBO cameras in their faces. 

The NY Giants probably regretted getting on Hard Knocks last season. It highlighted their excruciatingly poor season, as well as the utterly failed decision to let go of Saquon Barkley. UNC being on there would’ve raised expectations through the roof. Again, it’s only Year 1 of the Bill Belichick era. The school and him have probably dodged a bullet all things considered. Work in silence and allow for a more natural environment conducive to growth. However, social media sure had to fire off their own discernment. In the comments and quotes of the aforementioned X post, fans of all persuasions chimed in on the news. Even Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend caught jabs.  

Bill Belichick, Jordon Hudson and the UNC Tar Heels berated on social media

“HBO said boys aint signing up for these streaming services without Brady they’ve seen the product” wrote one person implying that Tom Brady’s fame brushing off on Bill Belichick is the reason this was ever even a possibility. That without Brady’s juice no one really cares what Belichick is up to. One of the more prominent themes brought up was how little Belichick gives to the media. He’s never been one to open his secret sauce up to the masses through the years. Which would have contradicted the makings of an entertaining docuseries. “least shocking news ever given how secretive he is in the locker room” said one person concurring with that notion.

“Thinking ultra-secretive and paranoid Bill Belichick was ever going to open up his program to media and public scrutiny like this—-well, that is the definition of “delusional” wrote another. “Let me guess – Bill’s attention grabbing girlfriend wasn’t going to get enough screen time so she told Bill to not do it?” said one person. His girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, has become a public figure herself over the course of their relationship. Her actions in the past have left her open to such a statement.

People even came for the program’s prominence, or lack thereof. “Lol. Some bigger brand swoop in and steal it?” wrote a person. UNC will perhaps always remain synonymous with their basketball program. It casts a Michael Jordan-shaped cloud over the football program. That said, Belichick, assuming he sticks around for long enough, can get things rolling. Hard Knocks sure would’ve been an entry into doing so, as well as remind people of his own stock as a coach. Something that took a hit down the stretch with the Patriots. “Sources told CBS Sports there is still a desire within the UNC football program to do some sort of all-access, behind-the-scenes series with some media group,” added Jonathan Jones in his report.