When Bill Belichick stepped out in New York City for a book event at New York University, it came after weeks of scrutiny about his romantic life and relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson.
Hudson was nowhere to be seen when Belichick spoke at NYU’s Stern School of Business, prompting many to note her absence.
But instead of Hudson joining him on this trip, Belichick was joined by a man with much more experience in the field of crisis communications.
A crisis is what this is. Belichick’s relationship with Hudson has been pilloried in the press since the former pageant queen’s explosive bust-up with CBS producers – including denying the interviewer a question and storming off set, leading to stalled production.
So, when Belichick arrived in New York, he brought out the big guns in the form of Brandon Faber: a man with decades of experience in public relations.
DailyMail.com takes a deeper look into who Faber is, what his experience is, and why Belichick might need someone like him in his stable.
Bill Belichick held a book event in New York this week, seemingly without Jordon Hudson
Their relationship has been under intensifying scrutiny after Belichick’s horror CBS interview
Belichick was, however, seen with sports public relations professional Brandon Faber
Early Life
A native of northeast Indiana, Faber grew up obsessed with sports and cheering on teams in Chicago – despite living in a Cleveland Browns household.
After graduating high school, he went on to attend Indiana University – an institution with a deep basketball heritage.
He spent nearly two years as a student communications assistant within the athletic department at the school, setting him off on the path leading to where he is today.
In addition, he spent two summers as an intern – first with minor league baseball’s Toledo Mud Hens, then with USA Basketball – per his LinkedIn profile.
After graduating from Indiana University, Faber’s first job was with the Chicago Bulls
Professional Career
After graduating in 2002, Faber got his first job working as a public and media relations coordinator with the Chicago Bulls.
Growing up in the Midwest in the 1990s, Faber experienced the Bulls’ dynasty and watched as Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen won six titles in eight years.
So the Bulls were an amazing first opportunity for someone with his passion and experience.
Shortly after winning the NBA Draft lottery in 2008 – giving the franchise the opportunity to draft a local kid named Derrick Rose – Faber took a new job in a different part of the United Center.
He spent eight years with the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team, watching as that franchise claimed three Stanley Cup titles.
After joining as a Director of Media Relations, he moved up to Senior Director of Communications in 2012 and served there for six years.
With two of Chicago’s five major pro sports franchises under his belt, Faber decided to add a third by jumping to the Chicago Bears as their Vice President of Communications – a job he’s held for the past eight years.
After working for the Bulls, Faber worked for another one of Chicago’s teams: the Blackhawks
Faber saw the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups before moving to the NFL’s Chicago Bears
Why might Belichick need to work with him?
Having worked in professional sports for over two decades, Faber is experienced in not only the brighter sides of communications such as promotion and handling the media, but also in crisis management.
Right now, Belichick does not have a media professional handling his public relations.
Previously, he’d been working with Berj Najarian – a PR professional he brought with him from the New York Jets to the New England Patriots.
Najarian had been by Belichick’s side for 24 years before the coach was fired from the Patriots. After that sacking, Najarian made a move to Boston College to work for BC’s football coach, Bill O’Brien.
Belichick has been without a PR professional since he was fired by the Patriots in 2024
Berj Najarian had worked as Belichick’s chief of staff for 24 years before Belichick was fired from the Patriots. Najarian has since taken that same role with Boston College’s Bill O’Brien.
How Hudson’s role has changed
When Najarian departed for Chestnut Hill, Belichick was actively looking for a coaching job. After not finding one, he went to go work in the media as an on-air personality.
He didn’t require someone as experienced as Najarian or Faber and could always lean on the PR of the networks he worked with if needed.
But when he left for the University of North Carolina, Hudson began to take on more and more of the workload managing Belichick.
Despite having no experience in the world of crisis communications or general public communications management, Hudson began taking on a larger and larger role in Belichick’s life.
She almost single-handedly tanked the production of the HBO show ‘Hard Knocks’ when her ‘demands’ were not met. Then came the debacle with CBS.
Now, according to reports from sports reporter Pablo Torre, Hudson has been barred from the UNC football practice facility.
Hudson apparently derailed plans for ‘Hard Knocks’ to film Belichick at North Carolina this year
Now, it has been claimed that Hudson’s influence over Belichick could be starting to wane
What’s next for Belichick?
Belichick’s legacy is on the line in the coming months. Considered by many to be the greatest coach in the history of the game, his focus will be required to make the best impression possible in his first year in charge of UNC.
In his first ever role as a college head coach, Belichick will hope to make a strong impression and put up some results against a relatively easy schedule.
Meanwhile, he’ll be continuing his tour promoting his book ‘The Art of Winning’ before summer practices get underway.
