Report: Bill Belichick, North Carolina near deal, but issues remain

North Carolina officials appear on the verge of nearing an agreement to make former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick its next head coach, but there remain significant issues still at play, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Chris Low.

Sources told Thamel and Low that “the ball is in Belichick’s court,” though UNC officials are clearly onboard with the six-time Super Bowl championship-winning coach replacing Mack Brown as the Tar Heels’ next head coach.

Among the most glaring issues is the potential role of Belichick’s son, Stephen, the current Washington Huskies defensive coordinator, as well as Carolina’s NIL resources, Bill Belichick’s desired salary and resources for staff and reporting structure.

ESPN’s report comes on the heels of Inside Carolina’s reporting that UNC officials are in the process of finalizing an agreement with Belichick on Wednesday afternoon.

Belichick has had multiple interactions with the UNC administration, including a five-hour meeting Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Should the complications ultimately be resolved, North Carolina would be the 72-year-old Belichick’s first-ever job in the collegiate ranks after spending nearly 50 years in the NFL. Belichick began his coaching career in 1975 as a special assistant for the Baltimore Colts before ultimately landing his first career head coaching gig with the Cleveland Browns in 1991.

As the head coach of the Patriots from 2000-23, Belichick won six Super Bowls, the most ever for an NFL head coach. Belichick also has the most playoff wins (31) of any head coach in NFL history and the third-most regular season wins of all time (302).

During his usual Monday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Belichick outlined his vision for North Carolina should he ultimately take over the program.

“If I was in a college program, the college program would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players that had the ability to play in the NFL,” Belichick said. “It would be a professional program — training, nutrition, scheme, coaching techniques — that would transfer to the NFL.

“I feel very confident that I have the contacts in the National Football League to pave the way for those players that would have the ability to have the opportunity to compete in the National Football League. Whether they’re good enough or not, I don’t know, but they would be ready for it. I don’t have any doubt about that.”

Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.