As his nightmarish start at UNC was discussed on ‘College GameDay’, Bill Belichick stunningly called up analyst Kirk Herbstreit live on TV.
Belichick’s Tar Heels are 0-3 against Power Five schools thus far (2-3 overall), with a report claiming earlier this week that the coach was already discussing buyout options with the school.
And after Belichick said he was ‘fully committed’ to UNC in a statement, he seemingly tried to reach Herbstreit on Saturday while he was discussing the Tar Heels live on TV.
Herbstreit began: ‘I think the most important thing is, is to understand that he is completely bought into what’s happening with this team and with this program. And him leaving or the idea of him leaving…’
While he was speaking, the former Ohio State quarterback had held up his phone and showed it to colleagues Nick Saban and Pat McAfee, leading the latter to speak up about the incoming call.
‘Answer that,’ McAfee urged him.
Bill Belichick apparently called into ‘College GameDay’ while he was being discussed on air
Pat McAfee urged Kirk Herbstreit (right) to pick up the call, but he did not
It’s been a difficult start to life at UNC, as the Tar Heels are 0-3 against Power Five schools
Herbstreit said he couldn’t pick it up before McAfee pestered him some more.
‘Answer that,’ he repeated. ‘He has to be watching right now. That’s literally Bill Belichick calling Kirk Herbstreit. He probably has something to say.’
Herbstreit then acknowledged the call he was receiving, saying: ‘Yeah. He probably does.’
The early-morning call came hours before UNC takes on California in Berkeley, and after The Guardian’s Ollie Connolly reported that Belichick was already considering jumping ship.
Belichick was said to have discussed his exit plans with Tar Heels chiefs, and was reported as being willing to trigger his own $1million buyout, should he find an alternative with another team or a return to the media.
It was also reported that members of Belichick’s coaching staff were also already preparing to flee, with some even reaching out to programs that are expected to make it to the CFB playoffs about potential roles.
‘The rats are leaving the ship,’ an anonymous coach told Connolly.
Nonetheless, Belichick and UNC brass later presented a united front in a joint statement, as Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said that Belichick ‘has the full support of the Department of Athletics and University.’
UNC running back Caleb Hood has announced his decision to retire from football immediately
Belichick also said that he was ‘fully committed to UNC Football and the program we’re building there.’
That same commitment seemingly wasn’t shared by senior running back Caleb Hood, though, as he abruptly announced his retirement from football on Friday.
‘After much thought, prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided to retire from football,’ he wrote on X.
‘My journey at UNC has been special and I appreciate my time here. I am excited to start the next chapter and will always take my memories of Carolina with me.
‘I want to thank Coach Belichick, Coach Kitchens and Coach Means for giving me an opportunity, as well as all my other coaches and teammates throughout my years of football for the impact they’ve all had on my life!’
Belichick also released his own statement on the matter, saying that Hood was a ‘great person’ who had ‘done everything we have asked him to do as a student-athlete.’
Hood had appeared in all five UNC games this season and scored one rushing touchdown.
