The old order dies, and new one emerges from its ashes. In reality, it may not be as simple as that. The old order often hangs around when the new one is taking shape. Well, what are we even talking about? Football coaching. Who’s the old order here? None other than the GOAT of NFL coaching, Bill Belichick. A six-time Super Bowl in New England, Belichick’s last few years at the Patriots were average, to say the least.

His roster decisions didn’t make sense, and for a guy who was overseeing everything, some of the draft picks also didn’t work out. Gone were the days when he turned Julian Edelman into a star, or a late-round pick in Tom Brady as the GOAT of QBs. This year, Coach Belichick has entered an uncharted territory- a head coaching job of a college football program. Of course, in the world of takes (and some hot takes), we have analysts carefully dissecting this decision. Well, Shannon Sharpe is not the one to be left behind. What’s the context? New England has let of of their head coach Jerod Mayo after just one season at the helm of affairs, and Uncle Shay traced it back to Belichick.

Shannon Sharpe’s analysis went straight to the heart of Bill Belichick’s coaching philosophy. Speaking on his show Nightcap, NFL vet didn’t mince his words on why it didn’t work in the NFL anymore for coaches who have trained under Bill Belichick. The problem starts at the beginning, as per Sharpe, as those coaches try to imitate what worked in New England. 

“That’s not Coach Belichick,” Sharpe said while addressing the coaching style of Belichick’s protégés. “When players look up there and hear you sounding like Coach Belichick, they’re like—but you’re Brian Flores. You’re Matt Patricia, you’re Josh McDaniels. You’re not him.”

As noted by Sharpe, many of Belichick’s coaches who have gone through his system typically don’t do well since they just imitate him instead of developing their own personality. His remarks included Belichick himself, hinting at the misfit between his no-nonsense approach and the modern college football landscape. “That way of coaching wouldn’t work in this era anyway,” Sharpe said, a statement that comes with bitter irony in the context of Bill Belichick’s new role at UNC.

His new role comes after decades of dominance in the NFL and it comes with new challenges and a spotlight. Notably, during his first press conference, Belichick impressed the audience while sharing his vision for the Tar Heels. “I’m looking for players who want to compete and grow,” Belichick said. “This game is about more than just talent—it’s about attitude, effort, and commitment.”

But that adaptability may stretch to the limit even in the college game. In the current NCAA setting, which includes the transfer portal and NIL, there is stiffened flexibility. Belichick acknowledged the challenges and compared them to the NFL draft and free agency. But he also emphasized the importance of building a sustainable culture. However, as Sharpe highlighted, if the coaching still involves the old order, Belichick may not last in the world of college football. 

Can Bill Belichick bridge the gap?

Of course, there remains some skepticism about whether Belichick could really make the leap to college football. Former NFL coach Kliff Kingsbury summarized the skepticism succinctly: “I don’t see my man going in any home visits or doing the cocktail hour after the visits,” Kingsbury joked, referencing the personal touch required in CFB recruiting. “But if anyone can figure it out, it’s him.”

Belichick’s belief and iconic “Do Your Job” mantra has long defined his approach toward the game. But as analyst Jason Gay of The Wall Street Journal noted, “The college game requires a softer edge. Players are viewed more as kids rather than professionals. Will Belichick gonna make up for the expectations of his new role?

Tar Heels fans are split. While some are ecstatic about the prospect of having an NFL legend on the sidelines, others wondered whether the dour pugnacious Bill Belichick would have any positive impact on young players. One of the fans responded, writing on social media, “Belichick’s track record is undeniable, but is he ready for the drama of the college game?”

On the other hand, Sharpe’s critique resonates with another segment of the fanbase. His words heighten concerns that Belichick may fall into his old ways rather than adapt according to his new surroundings.

UNC is revolutionary in every sense of the word because it is so rare for an individual in this line of work to be in this position. Yet, Shannon Sharpe’s direct criticism shows that his success depends on his ability to adapt. Will Belichick’s traditional methods elevate UNC football, or will the unchanging philosophy bring conflict with modern college football?

For now, the football world anxiously awaits to know which type of checkpoint will become dominant in the next few decades. If Bill Belichick goes on to prove Sharpe wrong, it would signify a new era of the Tar Heels. But if not, Sharpe’s words could be a sign of the slow dismantling of one of the best coaching eras in football history.