While the dust has still settled on Bill Belichick’s stunning decision Wednesday to move into the college football ranks as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, many are still trying to come to grips with the latest chapter in the eight-time Super’s storied coaching career -Bowl winners to deal with.

In an article published Thursday by The Athletic, some league executives suggested that Belichick — who led New England for 24 years and won six Super Bowls — would be anything but a contender as the NFL recruiting cycle approaches , and that probably influenced his decision to study.

“(Belichick) has burned a lot of bridges throughout his career,” a senior team executive told The Athletic.

As of Thursday, there are three openings after the Bears, Jets and Saints parted ways with their coaches midway through the 2024 season.

A team currently looking for a coach “has already ruled out the idea of ​​interviewing Belichick,” a league source told The Athletic.

ESPN added that the people around Belichick had concluded that the Bears were the most interesting option of those three, but that Chicago would be more likely to make an offensive choice for QB Caleb Williams – such as Lions coordinator Ben Johnson.

The Jets, where Belichick famously resigned as head coach on a napkin in 2000, “were never considered as a possibility.”

While it remains to be seen whether other opportunities will arise, including the Jaguars (3-10) and Raiders (2-11), “sources at some other teams with potential head coaching vacancies don’t believe that would be the case.” It has to be provide enough support within the building to hire Belichick,” according to The Athletic.

Belichick, who turned to sports media this season after missing out on the Falcons job, still had a desire to coach, and another team executive said, “If he wanted to coach again, he almost had to take that job.” .”

North Carolina announced Belichick as its new football coach on Wednesday.

Belichick’s father, Steve, was an assistant at UNC from 1953 to 1955.

“I am excited about the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill,” Belichick said in a statement. “I grew up around college football with my dad and really valued that time. I have always wanted to coach in college and now I am excited to build the football program at Chapel Hill.”

The announcement was made on Wednesday. The UNC Board of Trustees was reportedly scheduled to meet Thursday morning to finalize the deal. A press conference is planned for Thursday afternoon.

Belichick’s coaching career spanned approximately five decades in the NFL, including 24 years in New England. He took the Patriots job in 2000 and parted ways with the team in January.

After moving to Chapel Hill, Belichick was showered with love from those who knew him best.

“Congats coach,” former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady posted on Instagram on Wednesday. “The Tar Heel Way is becoming a thing.”

Belichick’s girlfriend, 24-year-old Jordon Hudson, also took to social media to celebrate.

“We’re on Chapel Hill!” she posted in an Instagram story.

North Carolina was looking for a new coach after firing Mack Brown in November.