Never was this in doubt, Bill Belichick has always been a maestro of strategy, both on the field and off. From his unparalleled NFL career to now as the head coach of North Carolina’s football program, the man knows how to make waves. But when you toss in a $10 million budget to build his staff and a high-profile reunion with a familiar face, things start to look even more interesting. The ex-Patriots coach who fed TB12 six rings these initial hires is already making waves—and raising eyebrows. Specifically, the combination of this father-son duo.

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show via ESPN, Bill Belichick, took a break from his typically stoic persona to talk about his partnership with longtime NFL friend Michael Lombardi and the delicate balance between coaching and managing. “Mike’s great,” Belichick said, speaking from his car in what felt like classic low-key Belichick fashion. “He does a great job with organizing the salary cap, which now we’re kind of working under… It’s a little different, but it’s similar.” Recalling their time in the NFL and the structure. His praise didn’t stop there. “He’s one of the smartest people I know and he handles those things very fluidly and we’re building,” the Tar Heels coach added, emphasizing his GM’s knack for juggling multiple responsibilities like high school recruiting, the transfer portal, and the overarching strategy of building a winning program. While the hire has its fair share of supporters, some are wondering how this new dynamic will play out.

That last bit about “building” seems to be the theme of Belichick’s vision for UNC. As Stephen Belichick said, “We’re building,” echoing his father’s sentiments. And with Lombardi at his side, the foundation appears solid. But the collaboration comes with its own weight, considering Belichick’s past as the de facto GM of the New England Patriots for several years. Asked by a curious Pat McAfee about the challenge of wearing both hats, Bill Belichick kept it solid. “It’s really impossible to do both jobs, head coach and general manager, in the NFL,” he said bluntly. “Somebody just has to have the final say on that, whether it’s the general manager or the head coach.” There are a lot of balls in the air to catch, like draft fee, personnel acquisition, and salary cap, etc. Back then, coach BB had Scott Pioli and Nick Caserio, whom he mentioned, now he has Lombardi.

The key takeaway? “The more important relationship is between ownership and the head coach and general manager,” even for a legend like Bill Belichick, there are limits. The NFL taught him that. Trying to combine that with the demands of coaching isn’t just daunting—it’s unrealistic. His solution at UNC is a partnership rooted in trust and mutual respect, something that’s been years in the making. Lombardi’s extensive NFL experience, including his time working under Belichick with the Patriots, makes him uniquely suited to take on the role.

Belichick’s decision to bring Lombardi into the fold isn’t just about familiarity, as some might say it’s nepotism, but the GOAT knows what he’s doing, “Michael knows how to build a champion,” Belichick said in a statement released by UNC. The sentiment rings true. Lombardi’s time in the NFL spanned decades, with stints in front offices for the 49ers, Browns, Eagles, and Raiders. His analytical approach to roster construction, combined with a knack for finding hidden gems, will be crucial as UNC navigates a recruiting landscape that’s as cutthroat as it gets.

The move also sends a message: Belichick isn’t here to play small ball, he’s here to “take the air out of ball, just so he can flex”, when Quavo gave him a shout-out in a famous track. With a hefty budget to craft his staff, he’s assembling a team with the precision of a master chess player. Reuniting with Lombardi is more than a sentimental choice; it’s a strategic one. Together, they’re aiming to build a program that can not only compete but dominate in the ACC and beyond.

Even the former punter built like a RAM truck couldn’t hide his excitement about Lombardi—“We’re excited anytime somebody talks about Michael Lombardi. We love that guy,” he said—the real buzz will come when this partnership starts yielding results.

“You know what’s better than one Lombardi, it’s two Lombardis,” Bill Belichick be like

Is it nepotism or just a classic case of sticking with what (and who) you know best? Bill Belichick’s early moves as the new head coach of the UNC Tar Heels certainly lean heavily on familiar faces, sparking plenty of chatter.

First up, Belichick decided to retain Freddie Kitchens as offensive coordinator. Kitchens, a holdover from the previous staff, brings NFL experience and continuity to the program. But it’s on the defensive side where things get, well, a bit more family-oriented. Belichick’s own son, Steve Belichick, joined the Tar Heels from Washington, keeping the coaching genes alive and thriving on the same staff.

In a move that raised even more eyebrows, the NFL legend named longtime confidant Michael Lombardi as the program’s general manager. The two go way back to their NFL days, and it’s clear that trust played a big part in this decision. But the family affair didn’t stop there. On Monday, it was announced that Michael’s son, Matt Lombardi, is joining the UNC staff. Matt, who brings experience from stints with Oregon, the Dolphins, the Panthers, and the Raiders. And if history is any indicator, what they’re building could be special.