Maybe the college route didn't come at the right time for Bill Belichick.
The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach advanced to the final 12 coaches in the running for the 2026 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
Belichick is in his first year of eligibility after rule changes were implemented last year. Coaches only have to be out of the NFL a full season to be eligible for consideration. While this should be an easy choice, the way he left the league and now his rough tenure at North Carolina might weigh heavy on the minds of voters.
Needless to say, Belichick might've benefited by waiting until 2026 to pursue becoming a college football coach. There will be at least two SEC jobs available and he would likely be in line for advancing in the Hall of fame consideration. However, those two possibilities seem unlikely at this point.
Belichick is joined by Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, Tom Coughlin, and George Seifert at the top of the group. The other coaches in the running are Chuck Knox, Alex Gibbs, Buddy Parker, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer and Clark Shaughnessy.
A blue-ribbon committee will decide on nine semifinalists next month before choosing one finalist for the final vote. "The coach will be grouped with one contributor and three seniors candidates. One to three of those five finalists will make it to the Hall based on getting at least 80% of the votes from the full committee," according to the guidelines for voting.
Belichick is known for his role of leading the New England Patriots dynasty in the 2000s. The common argument is who was better? Big Bill as a coach and figurehead or Tom Brady as a quarterback? Considering the GOAT passer went on to have success in Tampa Bay, there is a significant case for the latter.
However, nobody can take away Belichick's 333 wins with New England and Cleveland, which is second-most to Miami Dolphins great Don Shula at 347.
All good things must come to an end. Belichick's time in New England ended following the 2023 season, leading to bitter feelings from both sides. He has UNC at 2-4 in his first season.
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