Bill Belichick is embarking on a new chapter in his legendary coaching career, as he was introduced as the new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels earlier this week.
But apparently, Belichick previously reached out to an NFL team about his interest in its head coach position — and it was the most unlikely team.
According to The Athletic and the New York Post, Belichick’s “inner circle” got in touch with the New York Jets about becoming their new head coach.
While the report noted that there were never “formal” discussions and the initial contact didn’t amount to anything, the Jets were reportedly “stunned” by Belichick’s interest. And that’s understandable given the acrimonious history between the two sides.
Belichick, now 72, has patrolled the sideline for Gang Green before, and the first time failed to last even one week.
Following three seasons as the Jets’ defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells (1997-99), Belichick was the franchise’s head coach-in-waiting. Parcells stepped down as head coach of the Jets after the 1999 regular season, which contractually triggered Belichick becoming the new coach.
But then, it happened.
Stepping up to the podium for his introductory press conference, Belichick announced that he had resigned as New York’s head coach — a decision which he also informed team brass about on a napkin.
Simultaneously, Belichick sought to become the head coach of the New England Patriots, who had just fired Pete Carroll. Belichick had previously been the assistant head coach with the Pats under Parcells in 1996.
Roughly four weeks after that historic press conference, the Jets agreed to trade Belichick, who was under contract, to the Patriots. The rest is history, as New England won six Super Bowls and compiled a 266-121 record under Belichick from 2000-23. The two sides parted ways following the 2023 season.
This season, the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start, and the team has since gone 1-7 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.
The Jets are one of three NFL teams that have fired their head coach this season, the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints being the other two. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ (3-10), Giants’ (2-11), Las Vegas Raiders‘ (2-11) and Dallas Cowboys‘ (5-8) respective head coach’s job security is potentially on life support.
After failing to land a job in the NFL this season, Belichick will take over a North Carolina program that just went 6-6 and hasn’t won 10 games in a season since 2015.
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