Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels may be on to Week 8 in California, but there are plenty of things to address in the lead-up.
During UNC's idle Week 7, rumblings around Belichick's future in Chapel Hill, N.C., got increasingly louder. Amid reports that Belichick's days as the Heels' head coach may be numbered, he and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham issued statements to reaffirm Belichick as the program's coach for the present and future.
With the Heels set to travel to Berkeley, Calif., for a Friday night date with the Cal Golden Bears, Belichick spoke with the media on Monday, Oct. 13. In his first time answering questions since rumors around his job security ran rampant, Belichick took a firm stance to deny them.
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While Belichick is often a man of few words with the media, The Sporting News followed live updates from his press conference. Catch up below.
MORE: Latest news on Bill Belichick's status as UNC's head coach as program spirals
Bill Belichick press conference live updates
11:59 a.m.: After reports that the Hulu documentary following UNC football had been scrapped, Bill Belichick says the project is "still a work in progress," adding that there "will be something," but "there are some logistics we’re working through."
11:55 a.m.: Bill Belichick's patience begins to wear near the end of his availability, as he speaks on the media's job to create storylines about rumors and what they hear.
11:53 a.m.: When asked about a previously undisclosed preseason car accident involving QB Gio Smith, Bill Belichick quickly shuts it down, saying the signal-caller's practice availability was not impacted.
11:51 a.m.: Bill Belichick says, "I've had conversations with people inside … I wouldn't share private conversations, publicly," when asked about speaking with the university's trustees.
11:46 a.m.: Bill Belichick has notably remained even-keeled through questions about the team's 2-3 start, outside reports, and the process of improvement this season.
Belichick also outlined the team's journey from rebuilding through the transfer portal and trying to field a competitive team, citing "tremendous improvements" with speed, strength, and explosiveness.
11:40 a.m.: Bill Belichick denies rumors of a divide in the UNC locker room.
When asked, Belichick says that the players enjoy playing with one another and believe in the process of improvement.
11:38 a.m.: When asked about the joint statement with AD Bubba Cunningham, Bill Belichick says that it was made to address things that were not accurate.
11:35 a.m.: Bill Belichick opens by vehemently denying rumors of a buyout, saying there is "zero truth" to them, also calling the rumors "categorically false."
MORE: Complete timeline of Bill Belichick's dysfunction at UNC
When is Bill Belichick's press conference?
As per weekly custom, Belichick will speak with local and national media on Monday, Oct. 13, at 11:30 a.m. ET.
How to watch Bill Belichick press conference today
Belichick's press conference will be streamed on WRAL, the NBC affiliate in Raleigh, N.C.