Bill Belichick isn’t leaving the University of North Carolina, but he is returning to television after his first season of college football.
The 73-year-old coaching icon will join the ACC Network’s coverage of the College Football Playoff national championship game between the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers and the University of Miami, ESPN has announced.
The network, which is part of the ESPN umbrella, is expected to pair former Miami and Georgia coach Mark Richt with Belichick before the 7:30 Hurricanes-Hoosiers broadcast from South Florida’s Hard Rock Stadium.
Belichick did a significant amount of television after leaving the New England Patriots following the 2024 season. The winner of six Super Bowls as a head coach and two as the New York Giants defensive coordinator appeared on Monday Night Football’s ‘ManningCast’ with Peyton and Eli, as well as Pat McAfee’s daytime talk show.
Then, in a surprise move, Belichick stepped away from his budding media career to take his first crack at college football in Chapel Hill.
Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, Belichick went just 4-8 in his first season at UNC, not only missing the expanded college football playoffs, but also the chance to play in a bowl game.
Belichick’s Tar Heels were overshadowed by his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, in 2024
There had been some speculation that Belichick could return to the NFL with several recent openings, but he instead has focused on recruiting players to Chapel Hill, such as former Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.
A highly recruited passer out of high school, the Virginia native arrived at Wisconsin in August as a transfer from Maryland but suffered a knee injury and was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the Badgers’ season. He has since been granted a medical redshirt, allowing him to play a sixth season of college football and compete for the Tar Heels’ starting job with returning starter Gio Lopez.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Edwards’ decision to join North Carolina, where he will play for two former NFL coaches in Belichick and recently hired offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
Edwards’ transfer is significant for a Tar Heels team that was overshadowed by Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, who dominated headlines. But beyond the importance of adding a quarterback, Edwards’ arrival gives a strong signal to recruits, coaches and Tar Heels fans that Belichick is focused on spending 2026 in Chapel Hill.
Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) and defensive back D’Angelo Ponds will return to the field Monday to face the University of Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium
Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck has a chance to bring Miami its first title since 2001
Not only did North Carolina finish 4-8, but the Tar Heels managed to beat just two teams from a Power 4 conference: ACC rivals Syracuse and Stanford.
Meanwhile, Hudson has faced critical media coverage and is now engaged in a public spat with podcaster Pablo Torre, whom she has threatened to sue over his reporting.
Then there was the couple’s infamous CBS interview, when Hudson shot down questions about the mysterious beginning of their relationship. Later TMZ reported Hudson stormed out of the interview, delaying the shooting for 30 minutes.
Now Belichick will continue wading through the transfer portal and reaching out to high-school recruits ahead of North Carolina’s annual spring game on April 12 at Kenan Stadium.
