When Bill Belichick announced he was headed to Chapel Hill, nobody expected this rough of a start. North Carolina's 34-9 road loss to UCF on Saturday was a stinger. Outside of how bad the Tar Heels looked on the field, the biggest storyline was Bill Belichick's girlfriend Jordon Hudson on the sideline.
The 24-year-old shared a moment with her 73-year-old boyfriend before the game, which had everyone talking on social media and the early morning talk shows. Hudson and Belichick's sideline demeanor caught the attention of the Wake Up Barstool crew with Dave Portnoy, Jon Gruden, and Greg Olsen. The trio discussed how this looks for the UNC program on Tuesday's show.
"I don't think belichick necessarily cares what anybody thinks," Olsen said. "I think Belichick's gonna do his thing. I think he's going to have who he wants on the sideline. Who he doesn't want on the sideline? He obviously values her opinion on a lot of factors.
"I don't care if a coach's wife, girlfriend, or kids are on the sideline before, during, or after a game. I don't necessarily care, but I guess to each their own. You know, at the end of the day, if you win, you can bring your whole family on the sideline. She can wear a headset if they were winning, right? Like, at the end of the day, you are going to bring controversy. You are going to bring eyeballs and criticism when you lose, and when you lose, everything's a big deal."
Jon Gruden on Jordon Hudson being on the UNC sideline: "I've never seen anything like that. Mike Lombardi works for North Carolina. I've heard him criticize me several times. I'm sure he'll produce a TikTok today explaining exactly what was going on" pic.twitter.com/s68dX8hIrI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 22, 2025
This puts a spotlight on Hudson's day-to-day responsibilities with UNC. She's on hand for nearly everything and was even spotted giving hugs as players entered the locker room after the win over Charlotte. Also, this wasn't Hudson's first time roaming the sidelines. She got a moment with Belichick during the Tar Heels' season-opening loss to TCU.
Hudson's role extends beyond the relationship with Belichick, particularly given her background as his publicist and advisor. But where is the line at UNC? Will the cost of baggage eventually come with winning?
No doubt this will be an ongoing side conversation to the college football season regardless of how UNC plays on the field. Hudson and Belichick have much to look forward for the rest of the year.
MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Bill Belichick's girlfriend Jordon Hudson turns heads with outfit choice on sideline
- Dabo Swinney out at Clemson? Insider reveals if his job is in jeopardy
- Deion Sanders reveals which three NFL teams called about Shedeur during draft slid
- SEC blasts refs for missing Oklahoma's illegal 'hideout tactic'