Bill Belichick is not worrying about anything but North Carolina’s next opponent. The UNC coach knows there’s an opening in the NFL that many will link him to, but his attention is on Wake Forest.
Belichick’s name has been tied to the New York Giants coaching vacancy since Brian Daboll was relieved of his duties following New York’s Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Belichick affirmed that commitment to Chapel Hill on Friday night when he said that he will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.
“I have great respect and genuinely care for the New York Giants organization and both the Mara and Tisch families. The New York Giants played an important role in my life and in my coaching journey. It was a privilege for me to work for the Mara family and be a member of Coach Parcells’ staff for over a decade. However, despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.
“Since arriving in Chapel Hill, my commitment to the UNC Football program has not wavered. We have tremendous support from the university, our alumni, and the entire Carolina community. My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players, and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud. We’re on to Wake Forest.”
These comments came after Belichick struck a similar tone on Tuesday during his weekly press conference.
“I’ve been asked about it from time to time, but I’ve been down this road before,” Belichick said. “I’m focused on Wake Forest. That’s it, and that’s my commitment to this team, and next week, it’ll be to our next opponent, and so forth. But, you know, I’m here to do the best I can for this team.”
It’s easy to see why so many have speculated about Belichick’s possible interest in the Giants, and vice versa. Prior to winning six Super Bowls with the Patriots, Belichick won a pair of Super Bowls as the Giants’ defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells. He was carried off the field by Giants players after New York shut out Washington in the 1986 NFC title game en route to defeating the Broncos in Super Bowl XXI.
Four years later, Belichick’s defense held the mighty 49ers’ offense to just 13 points in what was one of the biggest upsets in conference title game history. A week later, his defense made even more history by holding the prolific Bills offense to just 19 points in the closest Super Bowl ever played.
Belichick’s controversial game plan worked; New York’s defense (which often lined up with just two defensive linemen) allowed Thurman Thomas to rush for 135 yards, but it succeeded in neutralizing Jim Kelly and the Bills’ prolific passing attack. That game plan currently resides in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In 2009, during a return trip to Giants Stadium, Belichick broke down in tears while reflecting back on his years with the Giants. Ironically, it was the Giants who handed Belichick’s Patriots two of his three Super Bowl losses that includes New York’s shocking upset over the previously-undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
Belichick served as the Browns’ head coach from 1991-95 and was the Patriots’ coach from 2000-23. His six Super Bowl wins as a head coach is two more than the next closest coach, former Steelers coach Chuck Noll. Belichick’s 303 regular season wins is the third highest total in NFL history. His 333 total wins is second to only Don Shula’s 347 wins that came with the Dolphins and Colts.
Belichick’s NFL career will likely be immortalized in the Pro Football Hall in 2026. He is one of nine coaching semifinalists for induction next summer in Canton, Ohio.
