Bill Belichick was introduced as the new head coach at the University of North Carolina on Thursday and announced upon his arrival that he’s “always wanted” a college coaching job.
The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach agreed to a five-year contract at UNC, where his late father was an assistant coach with the Tar Heels from 1953-55.
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Bill Belichick left the New England Patriots in January after 24 years and six Super Bowl titles with the franchise.
At Belichick’s introductory press conference, UNC chancellor Lee Roberts came armed with a gift: a gray short-sleeve hat, a trademark from his NFL coaching days, bearing the UNC logo.
“I’ve always wanted to coach college football,” Belichick told the assembled reporters. “It just never really worked out.”
“I had some good years in the NFL, so that was good,” he added, with his usual dry wit.
Bill Belichick was introduced as the new head coach at the University of North Carolina on Thursday
“It’s really a dream come true. I grew up in college football with my dad, he was a coach at Navy for 50 years, so as a kid, all I knew was college football.
It’s great to be back home in the Carolinas and back in the environment where I really grew up.”
School trustees approved the terms of a deal to hire Belichick as the new football coach earlier Thursday.
He sat between Roberts and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham, who paid his respects by wearing a suit jacket with cut-off sleeves to mimic another side Belichick look.
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Neil Reynolds reflected on Belichick’s incredible tenure in New England after it was announced he was leaving the Patriots after 24 seasons.
Belichick, 72, has 333 career NFL victories, trailing only Don Shula’s 347 for the NFL record, while his 31 playoff wins are the most in league history; The New England Patriots at the end of last season, especially the Atlanta Falcons in January.
When asked about fans’ concerns that he might leave quickly for his next NFL job, Belichick said: “I didn’t come here to leave.”
“I’m here to, as Bubba said, teach, develop and build a program the way I believe.”
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Bill Belichick’s final press conference with the team since stepping down as head coach of the New England Patriots
And when asked how long he might want to continue coaching, Belichick quipped.
“I love what I do. I love coaching.”
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