New England Patriots
“He probably has something to say.”
Bill Belichick was either dialed into ESPN’s “College GameDay” or he inadvertently made an awkward live television moment on Saturday morning.
The UNC head coach apparently called analyst Kirk Herbstreit’s cell phone during a “GameDay” segment discussing Belichick’s first-year struggles at Chapel Hill.
“Answer that,” fellow “College GameDay” analyst Pat McAfee said as Herbstreit flashed him his phone. “He has to be watching right now. That’s literally Bill Belichick calling Kirk Herbstreit. He probably has something to say.”
“I can’t answer,” Herbstreit replied with an awkward laugh.
The unusual television moment came after what’s been a week full of turmoil and rumors surrounding Belichick’s future at Chapel Hill. With the Tar Heels dropping to 2-3 following their third loss of at least 25 points to Clemson last Saturday, multiple reports indicated that Belichick’s time at UNC could end sooner rather than later. In fact, a report from The Read Optional’s Ollie Connolly stated Belichick and UNC had mutually begun discussing possible buyout options, including a scenario where the head coach would trigger his own $1 million buyout if he could find another job.
However, Belichick and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham tried to cool down the rumors of a separation late Wednesday. In a statement, Belichick said he was “fully committed” to the program, while Cunningham said that “Coach Belichick has the full support” of the school’s athletic department.
The latest reporting also indicates that Belichick doesn’t leave Chapel Hill. Belichick has told people he “loves coaching at the college level” and is planning to remain at North Carolina amid recent rumors that the head coach could leave, The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini reported Saturday. Additionally, people close to the program think that the recent reports and criticism are “intended to hurt the program,” according to Russini.
Belichick and UNC have a bye this week, so he’ll have to wait a week to turn things around. But he was seen recruiting at a high school football game in Olney, Maryland, on Friday night.
And if Belichick was spending his off day watching “College GameDay,” he would’ve heard some encouraging words from his friend, Nick Saban.
“Every coach needs to have the opportunity to establish his culture and also to recruit his kind of players,” Saban said on Saturday’s show. “First year at Alabama, we lost to ULM. Remember that? Alabama beat them 73-0 this year. We lost to them on a Thursday, most humiliating loss of my whole career.
“There was an acclimation for Bill. You know, I know how organized he is, probably misjudged a little bit of the timing of the first portal window. So they probably didn’t get an opportunity. You know, when you change coaches, you’re going to lose players, so you’ve got to replace those players. I think they missed the window, which is probably affecting this year, but they won’t miss it next year, and they’re doing a great job of recruiting.”
To Saban’s point, UNC’s 2026 recruiting class ranks as the 17th-best class in the nation, per 247Sports. But that might not matter if UNC doesn’t start winning games soon.
Belichick and UNC will take on Cal on Friday before hosting No. 19 Virginia a week later.
Sign up for Patriots updates🏈
Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during football season.
