Bill Belichick’s start to life at the University of North Carolina will not be featured on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ after the two camps failed to agree a deal.
The legendary NFL coach is taking his first steps in college football with the Tar Heels at the age of 72.
According to CBS, there had been weeks of discussions between NFL Films, Belichick and UNC about appearing on the iconic show this offseason.
It was thought that an agreement was all-but done, only for talks to collapse. CBS reports that issues surrounding creative control were behind the failure to strike a deal.
UNC would have been the first ever college team featured on the series, which takes fans behind the scenes of training camp.
There are still hopes, however, that some version of ‘Hard Knocks’ could be revived in Chapel Hill, where spring football practice begins on Tuesday.
Bill Belichick ‘s start to life at University of North Carolina will not be featured on ‘Hard Knocks’
The legendary coach, pictured with his partner Jordon Hudson, has taken over the Tar Heels
CBS claims that the football program remains interested in an all-access series. But, as it stands, it would be with NFL Films and HBO.
‘There are a lot of conversations going on right now about (‘Hard Knocks’),’ UNC general manager Michael Lombardi told Pat McAfee last week.
‘We’ve had offers. I don’t think anything’s yet been official or signed. When you’re dealing with the university and the brand that we have at North Carolina, which is incredible, you’ve got to make sure that everything’s done right, all the T’s are crossed.
‘Bill has been talking to different people that contacted all of us here and been sorting it out. I don’t think it’s official. If we do do it, the idea is to let people examine what we’re doing, take a look at the 33rd team in the NFL and see how we’re building this program and what we’re trying to accomplish. It’ll give an accurate portrayal.’
According to reports, it’s now unlikely that any NFL team will be featured in the offseason edition of Hard Knocks.
