When UNC abruptly gave their winningest HC Mack Brown, the proverbial boot, most expected the program to pivot. Pivot into perhaps a young, up-and-coming coach garnering plaudits somewhere as a coordinator. Or even lure a head coach somewhere to jump ship. Well, they seem to be chasing a figurehead, which is quite contrasting with either notion.

If you were told North Carolina wanted to hire a former HC who’s now biding time as a member of the national media, you’d have been forgiven for thinking to yourself, ‘Dan Mullen would be a good hire’. He was markedly linked to the vacancy as well. However, UNC’s search in the sports media sphere has led them to Bill Belichick. Talk about aiming high. Fascinatingly, Belichick seems to be open to what could be perceived as a step down into college football.

ESPN senior CFB analyst Paul Finebaum gave his thoughts on these developments. In an appearance on the December 6th iteration of Get Up, Finebaum was asked if he could see Bill Belichick coaching in college next year.“I could”, he remarked. Finebaum further elaborated on why he thinks this will be a good move for the Tar Heels.

He said “Chapel Hill is a very unique situation. The expectations aren’t the same as Georgia, Texas and Alabama. They have a great infrastructure and, if they’re patient, I think he could turn that place around. Mack Brown almost got over the hump, just couldn’t quite. Bill Belichick could easily do that…I think it would be a home run hire for North Carolina” As sensational as the pursuit of Belichick seems, it could indeed be a win-win for both parties.

The Tar Heels haven’t had a 10-win season in nearly a decade. Paul Finebaum’s colleague, CFB analyst Heather Dinich, was asked how coveted the head coaching job in North Carolina is. “It’s good but it’s not great”, she remarked.A storied school like UNC, embedded in history for producing perhaps the greatest athlete of his generation, is not an attractive proposition, which is evidence of the Micheal Jordan factor not quite permeating from the hardcourt to the gridiron. This presents a unique opportunity to Bill Belichick.

UNC’s need for Bill Belichick is reciprocated with an even bigger need the other way

With how his New England tenure ended, it has proven difficult for Belichick to jump straight into the helm of an NFL team. Add to that, his orthodox style of coaching and wish to be de-facto GM in control of front-office activities such as recruitment. In college, Belichick can fulfill these wishes since recruitment is a major facet of what the head coaching job entails. Building up his somewhat diminished stature as a coach through the college game could be enticing for the now 72-year-old. In return, UNC gets a go at one of the greatest minds in the history of the sport.

Bill Belichick’s recent traversal through the coaching is akin to Mack Brown. A legendary coach that was dismissed by their team, due to a failure to breach standards set in their pomp. After pushing for Tom Brady’s premature exit, Belichick lost a lot of built-up credit with Pats owner Robert Kraft and, by extension, football fans. An exit from television and return to the sidelines beckons, especially at a school bursting with potential, such as UNC.

A figure of Bill Belichick’s ilk could be exactly the kind of thing that sparks UNC’s football program to life. He has a fair few capable adversaries vying for the role, though. It will be fascinating to see if the paths of UNC and Belichick converge. The sport shall be in a better place with him leveraging his experience and acumen to college kids.