UNC Exploring Potential Belichick 'Exit Strategy'
UNC Exploring Potential Belichick 'Exit Strategy'
The News
Bill Belichick’s days in Chapel Hill may already be numbered.
247 Sports’ Andrew Jones reported that “potential exit strategy discussions” took place at North Carolina on Tuesday as the Belichick experiment goes off the rails.
The school has reportedly had “preliminary conversations” about firing the legendary football coach just five games into the new era, which has included the constant presence of Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
Complicating matters, Jones added, is Belichick’s massive $20 million buyout.
Alleged rules violation could help the program either eliminate or reduce the buyout down from that number, the outlet wrote.
Belichick, 73, may be looking for an out as well.
UNC is currently 2-3, but it’s been even worse than their record shows.
Timeline
Earlier this week, Tar Heels cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins was suspended for allegedly giving extra benefits to players, such as sideline passes to family members.
The Tar Heels were crushed 48-14 by TCU in their season opener, which featured a star-studded crowd that included Michael Jordan at Chapel Hill.
On Saturday, they were blown out 38-10 by Clemson in front of their home crowd, who darted for the exits early amid the beatdown.
Reactions
College football journalist Ollie Connolly reported that Belichick “has discussed buyout options with North Carolina’s hierarchy” and he “has signalled a willingness to trigger his own $1 million buyout if he can find a soft landing with another team or in media.”
Connolly added that Belichick has reportedly been “weird” and “distant” with his staff and that some coaches were unable to get a hold of him during the team’s bye week.
A source told Jones that “there are many other violations that have occurred, many on the recruiting front.”
What's Next
UNC will take the field next when it heads to Berkeley to face the California Golden Bears on Oct. 17.
More
Last month, a lawsuit alleged that the UNC board hired Belichick illegally.
The latest news comes after a report from WRAL News painted a picture of a dysfunctional program under Belichick, marred by a divided locker room and a disorganized coaching staff.
Things have gotten so bad that UNC has scrapped its season-long Hulu documentary that aimed to capture Belichick’s first year as the Tar Heels’ head coach.
Underlying all the dysfunction is Hudson’s presence around the program.
Hudson was on the sideline once again Saturday, and at one point was seen engaging in a discussion with ACC commissioner Jim Phillips.
Charleston White Arrested Again on Florida Battery Charge
Border Patrol Rescues MS NOW Crew in Desert
Sep 13, 2026
Supreme Court Restores Missouri's Old House Map
Sep 13, 2026
Alaska Drops Felony Voter Charges Against Samoans
Sep 13, 2026
Trespasser Breaches Harris' Malibu Estate; No Arrest
Sep 12, 2026
Hegseth Pressed Downed Airmen Into 60 Minutes
Sep 12, 2026
Houthis Seize Mokha, Choking Saudi Oil Exports
Sep 12, 2026
Altman Rules Out OpenAI IPO This Year
Sep 12, 2026
Jury Acquits Lil Durk in Murder-for-Hire Case
Sep 12, 2026
Judge: Trump Broke Law Halving FEMA Staff
Sep 12, 2026
Maher Calls Democrats' Gaza Genocide Claim a Lie
Sep 12, 2026
Blizzard Revives StarCraft, Sends Diablo to Netflix
Sep 12, 2026
Trump's Queens Childhood Home Sells for $1.93M
Sep 12, 2026
Scientists Find New Virus in Tick Invading US
Sep 12, 2026
Britain Bans Settlement Imports; US States Threaten Payback
Sep 12, 2026
Prison Fire Kills 7 as Kurds Protest Killing
Sep 12, 2026
Kosovo Rallies for Ex-President Before Hague Verdict
Sep 12, 2026
Cruz Booed at GameDay Over College Sports Bill
Sep 12, 2026
Blast Hits Bulgarian Arms Plant Supplying Ukraine
Sep 12, 2026
DOJ Loses Nearly Every Protester Assault Trial
Sep 12, 2026
Sep 13, 2026