The second-most well-known connection between North Carolina’s football program and the New England Patriots, Drake Maye, has spoken out about Bill Belichick taking the gridiron helm in Chapel Hill.
Belichick was not with the Patriots when they drafted Maye in April from North Carolina.
It is possible that in scouting for his then-existent New England future that Belichick watched tons of Maye film.
Despite the two never crossing in football circles, they represent two of the few who have worn Tar Heel and Patriot blue.
‘Obviously, a legendary coach with the success he had here and what a great place Chapel Hill is,’ Maye said of Belichick at UNC. ‘So anytime you have a legendary NFL coach going back to college, I think it’s cool. It’s pretty interesting for me.’
Belichick will now embark at 72 on his first job in college football after nearly 50 years in the NFL.
Former North Carolina and now-Patriots quarterback Maye has spoken out about Belichick
Belichick has made the jump from the NFL to college for the first time with his UNC hiring
Belichick heading to the college game sent shockwaves through the sport, as many thought he was trying to re-enter the NFL coaching sphere.
With many teams likely not giving Belichick the kind of managerial control he had in 24 seasons with the Patriots, he heads to Chapel Hill, where he will have that level of power.
Belichick will show quickly how much sway he has in recruiting, as college football’s signing period wraps in February.
North Carolina had been losing plenty of talent to the transfer portal and has four-star quarterback recruit Bryce Baker unsigned.
Bringing Baker officially into the fold and would be the first encouraging sign for arguably the best NFL coach of all time in a different environment.
