After UNC abruptly gave their winningest HC ever, Mack Brown, the proverbial boot, most expected the program to pivot. Pivot into perhaps a young, up-and-coming coordinator somewhere. Or even attempt to lure a successful head coach elsewhere to jump ship. Somebody who’s versed with the changing dynamics of the college game in the NIL and transfer portal era. Someone who they can entrust with knowing exactly how to go about building a successful program at this level.  Well, they ended up with Bill Belichick. A great figurehead in his own right, but one that’s very contrasting with what was needed as per the prevalent wisdom. This has divided everyone into 2 opposing factions.

Specimen 1 is those who think he’ll fail at this level. They’re not deluded into thinking he’s a bad coach. It’s just skepticism of how his methods will translate with kids and on the recruitment front. Many of these people believe he’ll run back to the NFL or the media realm at the first sign of adversity on that front. Specimen 2, those who think his acumen of the game will indeed translate to CFB. After all, he’s Bill Belichick. A member of CFB media, perhaps the most prominent voice of the sport, falls into the former faction.

Josh Pate took to his namesake YouTube show to echo concern about Bill Belichick at UNC. In particular, how he’s setting people up for disappointment with claims about “revolutionizing” the college game. “At a 2nd-tier institution- football wise- in the 3rd or 4th best conference in America right now, what is it that’s revolutionary or groundbreaking that he’s going to bring to the table?” he asked. Josh Pate proceeded to elaborately detail his cynicism around Belichick, which he’s not alone in.

“If you think understanding how to build the organization to mirror the Sunday game is revolutionary, dude, they got people inside the building in North Carolina who have already been doing that,” he said. Belichick has tagged along his former New England assistant Micheal Lombardi as the GM for the Tar Heels.

A general manager is a norm in the NFL, but not in CFB. “Are you bringing some revolutionary offense in? Are you bringing some revolutionary defense in? Do you have a relatability or connectivity with high school prospective student-athletes that your peers in the conference don’t have?” resounded Pate. It’s worth noting that Bill Belichick has hired his son Steve as defensive coordinator. A move that cost UNC millions in buy-out money from the Washington Huskies.

Josh Pate answered his question related to the high school recruitment issue saying “I’m open to be sold on that, by the way. I just don’t necessarily think that’s Bill Belichick’s forte.” This is indeed proving to be the case so far, given the Tar Heels’ shortcomings so far this offseason.

Top Comment by Scotty

Steve B had no buyout

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Bill Belichick-led recruitment era off to a rocky start down in Chapel Hill

Playing for arguably the best defensive mind in football history is an enticing prospect in theory, at least for players on that side of the ball. Reality is transpiring rather differently. Maybe the kids today don’t remember Belichick’s prime at the Patriots since his tenure dwindled towards the end. While UNC has acquired a couple of prospects they might not have without Belichick, it’s been sub-par overall.

UNC has been pursuing 4-star cornerback recruit Onis Konanbanny. He’s currently committed to Tennessee but is reportedly trending towards a flip. Despite him explicitly naming UNC in his shortlist, they’re way behind the 8-ball, according to expert Steve Wiltfong’s intel. He predicts that a different SEC school will land him. Even with Bill Belichick at the helm, UNC isn’t able to ward off “bigger” programs. However, how UNC is perceived is not the only issue.

“As you attract talent to Chapel Hill, at every turn the programs you’re competing against are going to be in kids’ ears. Saying “He’s going to the NFL,” said Josh Pate. Belichick has a very low-hanging buyout clause in case a franchise comes in for him. However, it doesn’t seem like that door is opening for him again. Belichick is left to revel in his shortcomings thus far in North Carolina. He, and the Tar Heels collectively, need to turn things around before this ship sinks without even leaving the dock.