Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick signed his term sheet to be the next coach at the University of North Carolina. However, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, he has yet to sign his final contract with the school.
Could Belichick be leaving the door open for a possible NFL return with multiple head coaching jobs opening across the league?
Jones wrote:
Presently, there is not a fully executed and signed contract between Belichick and UNC, sources told CBS Sports — and the school confirmed — this week. Industry sources say that could create to a legal gray area about how much, if any, of a buyout would exist if Belichick left for the pros.
According to Jones, it isn’t unusual to see such a large gap in time between a term sheet and the final contract in college football hirings. So Belichick could very well intend to coach at Chapel Hill in 2025.
But there is some major temptation on the NFL side of things, particularly with head coaching jobs for the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders opening. Belichick is only 15 wins away from surpassing legendary coach Don Shula’s all-time wins record. History is on the line for the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach.
But Belichick would have to make the tough decision to walk out on his commitment to North Carolina to chase that history. It would be a major disappointment for the program and the kids who have likely stuck around to be coached by the greatest of all time.
Belichick said it himself back in December, “I didn’t come here to leave.”
It would be quite the turn of events to see him walk back those words, shed the Carolina blue dream and resume chasing NFL glory.
