Eight-time Tremendous Bowl champion coach Invoice Belichick reportedly checked in with NBA Corridor of Famer Michael Jordan, the best Tar Heel ever, earlier than taking the UNC head teaching job.
Invoice Belichick talked to NBA Corridor of Famer Michael Jordan, Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers Julius Peppers, Lawrence Taylor
The previous New England Patriots head coach and normal supervisor mentioned Jordan was among the many UNC legends he chatted with and sought recommendation from earlier than accepting his new gig.
Belichick, 72, advised media members at a information convention in Chapel Hill that he additionally spoke with Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers Julius Peppers and Lawrence Taylor, two of the best defensive gamers in league historical past.
Nevertheless, Belichick — being the closed ebook that he’s — didn’t go into any additional particulars. “Very supportive,” he mentioned of the talks with the famed alums.
🎥 WATCH | Invoice Belichick Introductory Press Convention#GoHeels x #ChapelBill https://t.co/37CqVaFVdO
— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) December 12, 2024
“There’s been a ton of help,” Invoice Belichick added, “from ex-players and different UNC alums. It is a nice model and an excellent help system right here. So I’m excited to spend extra time with these individuals.”
As a freshman, Michael Jordan was a member of the Tar Heels’ nationwide championship group in 1982. In 101 profession NCAA video games, he averaged 17.7 factors, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 30.8 minutes per contest.
Among the many different accolades Jordan received at North Carolina embrace ACC Rookie of the 12 months (1982), ACC Participant of the 12 months (1984), USA Basketball Male Athlete of the 12 months (1983, 1984), and Nationwide School Participant of the 12 months (1984).
His Airness acquired two Consensus first-team All-American alternatives (1983, 1984) as nicely. In 2002, he was named to the ACC fiftieth Anniversary males’s basketball group, honoring the 50 best gamers in ACC historical past.
Jordan went on to win six NBA championships, 5 MVPs, and 6 Finals MVPs with the Chicago Bulls.
Invoice saved his father’s previous Tar Heels sweater all through the many years
Invoice Belichick mentioned he additionally had conversations with the gamers earlier than he stepped to the rostrum Thursday afternoon.
The NFL’s legendary coach was gifted a cut-sleeve UNC hoodie earlier than the ceremony even started. Invoice additionally shared that he had saved his dad’s previous Tar Heels sweater all through the many years.
Steve Belichick, Invoice’s father, coached UNC’s backfield from 1953 via 1955. Earlier than becoming a member of the Tar Heels, Steve had beforehand served as the top coach of Hiram School and the backfield coach at Vanderbilt College.
Invoice additionally made it clear that he intends to stay at North Carolina, even when an NFL proprietor had been to supply him a head-coaching place sooner or later, telling one reporter, “I didn’t come right here to depart.”
Nonetheless has Dad’s sweatshirt 🩵#CarolinaFootball | #ChapelBill pic.twitter.com/SWXXWDiJDh
— Carolina Soccer (@UNCFootball) December 13, 2024
Belichick and UNC agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal on Wednesday. North Carolina is counting on Belichick to show round a program that went 6-6 this season and has not received 10 or extra video games in a season since 2015.
Invoice spent 29 seasons as a head coach with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. His general NFL head-coaching file is 302-165 (.647). In his 24 seasons with the Pats, he led them to 17 AFC East titles, 9 Tremendous Bowl appearances, and 6 Tremendous Bowl wins.
Belichick additionally received a pair of Tremendous Bowls because the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator, and Taylor was his star defensive participant in New York.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25835336/usa_today_19846160.jpg?w=360&resize=360,180&ssl=1 "Orlando Magic (23-19) at Boston Celtics (28-12) Sport #41 1/17/25")
