Seldomly do we see 72-year-olds get interviewed for college football head coach openings, but the University of North Carolina interviewed Bill Belichick for their vacancy.
The Tar Heels fired Mack Brown, who is 73 years old, last week. By hiring Belichick, they would be getting younger; you can’t argue that. But in their early 70s, Brown and Belichick might be better suited to start their presidential campaign for 2028.
When older coaches get interviewed for an opening in college sports, the question becomes about their ability to relate to college athletes. This is especially true in an ever-changing world of name, image and likeness, where college athletes could become millionaires before exiting their teens.
Relating to young people is a box Belichick checks. And there’s mounting evidence of this in his personal life. So many jokes online surfaced about Belichick’s relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Houston once the news leaked about his interview with North Carolina.
But there might be some truth to these memes. Belichick was able to relate to the youth so well that he’s romantically involved with one. That’s saying something, whether you like it or not.
In the last few months, Belichick has joined social media, participated in TikToks, had a matching Halloween costume, appeared on podcasts and just recently showcased his new girlfriend on a red carpet. There’s no denying that Belichick at least somewhat understands Gen Z.
But his relationship is only half the battle. Enough about his personal life. Leave that man alone.
Belichick has coached some of the most notorious knuckleheads in NFL history. Everybody from Aaron Hernandez to Antonio Brown found their way to suit up for the New England Patriots. There’s also the famous clip of Randy Moss inviting Belichick to the team’s Halloween party, understanding that he probably wouldn’t come. But Belichick showed up in costume and was the life of the party.
Not to mention, recruiting would be pretty easy for Belichick.
“Hey, want to play for the greatest coach ever and have a fast track to the NFL? Come to UNC.”
Perhaps the Tar Heels are just doing due diligence on the greatest football coach ever. But his age shouldn’t be a factor that deters them from hiring him. It’s likely that a plethora of NFL jobs open as well. But we all know the pressure that comes with that, especially for a coach on his “second chance” in the league. Coaching in the ACC is undoubtedly easier than coaching, oh, you know, for Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys.
College football and Belichick might be the match made in heaven that nobody saw coming.
