Looks like Bill Belichick isn’t just building a staff at UNC—he’s planting a dynasty. First, he introduced Steve, who had recently excelled in leading Washington’s defense. And now, Brian is joining the team, making his way up from New England’s scouting room to an on-field position. But let’s not pretend this is just about Xs and Os. Belichick has a long-term approach following Nick Saban’s playbook, and this move smells more like a blueprint than a quick fix. The real question? What’s his endgame here?

Well, Bill Belichick’s name holds weight in Chapel Hill. And recently, the UNC HC welcomed another familiar face—his younger son, Brian Belichick. Brian Belichick’s rise from scouting assistant to on-field coach with the Patriots has now led him to join Steve’s staff at UNC, cementing a serious Belichick dynasty vibe. But this move isn’t just about family ties. It looks like Bill’s playing a long game here. As John Talty from 247 Sports suggested, “I think this was expected from the moment that Bill was hired. There was a lot of industry speculation that part of his interest in taking the UNC job was to try to set up his son Steve down the line to be a head coach. We haven’t seen that that much on the college football side.”

Well, this isn’t the first time someone’s trying to do it. Remember when Bob Knight once positioned his son Pat for a head coaching role, ensuring his legacy extended beyond his own tenure? Similarly, Bruce Pearl has also clearly indicated his intention for his son Steven to eventually succeed him at Auburn. But this is something we haven’t seen much in football.

But Brian Belichick isn’t just relying on his last name; he has put in the hard work. Starting in the Patriots’ scouting department, he has steadily progressed to coaching and played a significant role in their Super Bowl LIII victory. In 2020, he took on the position of safety coach, proving his worth in a defense known for its discipline and precision. Now, as he considers a move to UNC, his experience under his father’s system could bring an additional layer of NFL expertise to the Tar Heels’ staff.

With Steve Belichick already in Chapel Hill after a successful tenure in Washington’s defense, adding Brian could establish a complete Belichick operation at UNC. Bill isn’t merely gathering familiar faces; he is constructing a staff that emulates his Patriots teams, emphasizing trust and system continuity.

However, while this formula worked in the NFL, college football presents a different challenge. Recruiting, NIL, and player management require adaptability, not just experience. The true test lies in whether Belichick learns from Nick Saban’s playbook. Saban thrived with his inner circle until the game forced him to seek outside voices to stay ahead. If Belichick adheres too rigidly to what he knows, he risks falling behind in UNC’s progress before it even begins.

Bill Belichick follows Nick Saban’s path of success

Well, if you don’t know, Nick Saban established his coaching empire by maintaining a figurative family atmosphere. He surrounded himself with trusted assistants, prioritizing internal promotions to ensure continuity within his system. This approach was the catalyst for his early success, resulting in several championships and providing his protégés with head coaching positions. For instance, Derek Dooley followed Saban from LSU to Miami, Jimbo Fisher managed his offense, and even Freddie Roach, a former Bama linebacker, returned as a defensive line coach.

While Saban’s in-house hires kept the team functioning, they struggled to keep up with the evolving game. After recognizing the need for change, especially in offense, Saban made the difficult decision to look beyond his inner circle. So, in 2023, he brought in Tommy Rees, the offensive coordinator from Notre Dame, signaling a departure from his usual playbook. He understood that maintaining dominance required adaptation and embracing outside influences.

Now, Bill Belichick is stepping into the college football world at UNC, seemingly taking a page out of Saban’s early script. Even John Talty sees the resemblance: “Nick Saban used to hire a lot of guys within his system too; it was very successful for a long time, then things got a little stale, and especially offensively, he had to hire guys outside of that system to kind of bring, like you said, innovation and creativity. We’re seeing Bill lean into what he knows, where that works.” This approach has been a hallmark of Saban’s coaching strategy, fostering a cohesive coaching environment.” The strategy is tried and tested, but it has an expiration date.

While Saban has shown a willingness to adapt to stay on top, the question hangs over Bill Belichick: will he recognize the need for change before college football leaves him behind?