The Bill Belichick era in North Carolina has been anything but what was expected early on. When the decision was made to hire the hall of fame NFL coach, it was met with mixed reviews. Many believing Belichick is an NFL coach who should remain an NFL coach and almost as many believing Belichick in college should be an idea that works. Through five weeks, the results have been comprehensively bad, with very little positive to celebrate.
The argument for Belichick centers around the culture he was known for in New England. Referred to by many as “the Belichick way”, implementing his 'culture' was likely to be a slow process. Belichick would have been given the grace to implement his team culture over time, but only if they were winning games. To be fair, Belichick did not need to have an undefeated season or even a college football playoff berth to continue to run his program how he runs his program.
After losing to all power 4 teams, they’ve played to this point by a total of 122-30, it seems a change is all but assured at this point. In an ACC conference that has 17 members, North Carolina finds themselves in 15th place with a remaining schedule that includes a ranked opponent and not one game that seems like a certain win for UNC. In a segment on First Take on October 7th, college football analyst Paul Finebaum weighed in on the North Carolina situation and was declarative that there is no hope for the Tar Heels in 2025.
“No you have no hope. We’re talking about Bill Belichick who is the greatest coach in NFL history. Right now, he’s working towards becoming the worst coach in college football history. That’s how bad he is. There’s nothing to be happy about. Its an abject disaster.”
If the Belichick era is to end in 2025, the question becomes who could North Carolina bring in to replace him? After a long run with former head coach Mack Brown, it would seem the next hire needs to be one that has staying power and consistent winning.
Steve Belichick – DC North Carolina
Obviously, the Steve Belichick option would make a lot more sense if this was a few years from now after Bill Belichick had established success with a couple winning seasons. Based on Bill’s pattern with Steve over the years, it’s a reasonable conclusion to reach that Steve was onboard to be the eventual successor, or "head coach in waiting". Based on how things have gone for Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels, it's fair to assume Steve Belichick is possibly the least likely candidate on this list. Had UNC seen some success from Bill, the eventual move to Steve would have made more sense. It's hard to believe today, that the Tar Heel fans, boosters, alumni or even administrators would be excited for an “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” option when they haven’t been impressed with the tree.
Robert Livingston – DC Colorado
Robert Livingston might not be the most ideal option to the fanbase as he has no formal ties to North Carolina. However, Livingston has was a semi-finalist for the Broyles award in 2024. His defensive unit led the Big 12 is sacks in 2024 and is believed to be an integral part of Colorado’s 9-win season last year. Livingston has NFL experience and could bring something different to recruiting as compared to Belichick. With uncertainty surrounding the health of head coach Deion Sanders, Livingston’s name would be at the top of the list for a Colorado successor if and when Sanders choses to step down. Livingston is young, has experience, is respected and would present a very intriguing option. Especially if ties to Carolina are not a prerequisite.
Kendal Briles – OC Texas Christian University
Kendal Briles is another candidate option that does not have Carolina ties but presents a realistic option. Briles has been a coaching candidate name to watch for a few years now. A product of Texas who has plenty of coaching experience under his belt, just not head coaching experience. Briles played for Texas and Houston before beginning his coaching career in 2008. A position coach from 2008 to 2015 for Baylor. In 2016 he was named offensive coordinator. For nine years, Briles has been a coordinator and associate head coach. With stops at Baylor, FAU, Houston, Florida State, Arkansas, and TCU it’s fair to assume Briles is in a head coaching position window.
DeSean Jackson – HC Delaware State
Admittedly, Jackson would be the underdog candidate of the group based on total coaching experience and competition level. Jackson is in year one of his college coaching career. While Delaware State is an FCS Division I-AA team from the MEAC, Jackson’s early returns have been impressive. Jackson is one of several former NFL players to take on coaching roles, following loosely in Deion Sanders’ footsteps. At almost the halfway point of the season, Jackson’s Delaware State Hornets find themselves in the middle of the MEAC standings with a number of winnable games left on the schedule. Jackson seems to be fully bought into his role as a head coach and has fared better than most other recent players turned coaches. Jackson as a candidate for UNC is a long shot, but one that carries with it optimism and an intriguing a wrinkle to recruiting. Especially in California and the relative southern region of the country.
Jeff Saturday – Current NFL analyst for ESPN
Saturday is the home-grown option. The only candidate on this list that is currently not holding a coaching position. However, Saturday is not without coaching experience. A product of Atlanta Georgia, as a player Saturday would be cast aside by SEC schools but eventually received a scholarship to play for the Tar Heels. An all-ACC selection and team captain for UNC in 1996 and 1997. Saturday would go onto have a 14-year NFL career, all but one season of which for the Indianapolis Colts where he was Peyton Manning’s center. After his playing career, Saturday would lead the Hebron Christian Academy for 3 years. In that time, Saturday’s team went 20-16 making the playoffs each of those three years. In a surprising move in 2022, the Indianapolis Colts hired Saturday to be the interim head coach once they parted ways with Frank Reich. His Colts tenure was short lived where he experienced very opposing results. First by beating the Raiders in his first game 25-20 and later, blowing a 33-point lead to the Vikings. Recently on First Take, Paul Finebaum jokingly made the comment that he should fire Belichick immediately and hand the program over to Saturday. While it may have been said in jest, Saturday might be the name to watch with North Carolina ties.
Nothing from the University has been confirmed regarding Bill Belichick’s future. With how the season has gone thus far, it's hard to digest that Belichick will survive this season without a complete and drastic about face change in their current trajectory. Belichick is a football legend but will struggle to lean on that for much longer if North Carolina can’t find a way to win games.
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