Things are turning around in the blink of an eye around Bill Belichick and the University of North Carolina. Now that he’s locked in, the head coach is utilizing all his influence to transform UNC into a dominant force. His most recent move? Enlisting the expertise of another Belichick disciple into the squad. Any guesses as to who it might be? Hint: It might be a strategic maneuver of immense power. However, UNC’s president, who is asserting more control over team decisions, might make Coach Bill fight to get this one through.

Well, if you thought Bill Belichick was all in to bring his fam jam to UNC, you’re correct! His younger son, Brian Belichick, who has spent the past five seasons coaching safeties for the New England Patriots, might join hands with him after his elder son Steve Belichick. The speculation comes after 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz took to X with this news saying, “North Carolina is expected to hire Brian Belichick as safeties coach, sources say.“ If that’s the case, North Carolina’s defense might go through a better transition with all the NFL expertise Brian will bring to the team.

Talking about Brian Belichick’s expertise, he has a strong background in coaching, starting in the scouting department of the Patriots before transitioning to coaching during their Super Bowl LI (2007) run. He initially worked as a coaching assistant for three seasons before taking on the role of safeties coach in 2020, a position previously held by his brother Steve.

This move allowed him to take charge of a crucial part of the Patriots’ defense, and he played a significant role in their Super Bowl LIII victory. Throughout his time in New England, he had the opportunity to work closely with his father, Bill, and learn the intricacies of the legendary system he created.

Now that Brian’s time in New England has come to an end, he has not yet disclosed his next career move. However, his recent comments about UNC—calling it an “awesome opportunity” with an “exciting fanbase”—might be a sign of what’s coming. Plus, even if he was not retained by Mike Vrabel, Brian has seen a coaching transition under Jerod Mayo, which makes him an even more reliable option for UNC.

It’s evident that the Patriots are currently in a rebuilding phase after two consecutive seasons with only four wins, and Vrabel’s shake-up suggests a complete departure from the previous regime. With Brian and Mike Pellegrino‘s departures, it marks the end of an era and paves the way for new defensive leadership under Terrell Williams. After years of stability, the Patriots are shifting their philosophy, and Brian is now in search of his next coaching destination. Although UNC seems like a natural fit due to his deep understanding of his father’s defensive system, but for now it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Coach Bill’s hopes to get Brian Belichick might take a weird turn

Well, Bill Belichick’s arrival at UNC didn’t happen without drama. A month ago, UNC System President Peter Hans instructed the school’s trustees to refrain from interfering in athletic decisions. After they played a significant role in hiring Belichick, Hans cautioned them about the “substantial legal risk” if they continued to overstep their boundaries.

Moreover, in a memo to UNC-CH Board Chair John Preyer and Chancellor Lee Roberts, he called them out for their actions, stating, “Instances continue to occur where members of the board appear to act independently of their campus’s administration in matters squarely within the responsibility of the chancellor.” Which makes Brian Belichick’s entry into UNC tougher.

Now, that’s where things get tricky. As Hans has stripped the trustees of their authority over athletic contracts, mandating that he approves any hiring or deals before they can proceed. This includes assistant coaching appointments, which means that if Bill Belichick wishes to bring in his son Brian, he cannot simply push it through. With the trustees sidelined, Belichick must now collaborate with Chancellor Lee Roberts and Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, who has not been on the best terms with the board.

Let’s be real, Bill Belichick’s bringing a lot of depth to UNC. For instance, when Steve, joined him as an assistant coach after leading Washington’s defense last year, he made waves in the Pac-12, setting the stage for an intriguing father-son partnership in Chapel Hill, all while Bill took a break in 2024. Now if Brian Belichick also comes on board, things will become even more exciting—UNC will gain another Belichick intellect, enhancing the coaching staff that already boasts an abundance of NFL experience.