Why did Bill Belichick go to UNC? Bill O’Brien shares an interesting insight that originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It comes as no surprise to anyone that Bill Belichick has accepted another head coaching job after mutually parting ways with the New England Patriots in January. The eight-time Super Bowl champion loves coaching, and many people assumed he would eventually get another job.

However, Belichick going to college football and not taking an NFL job was certainly a surprise. He was officially introduced as the new head football coach at the University of North Carolina on Thursday. Belichick will take over a program that went 6-6 last season, won one bowl game in the last 10 years and hasn’t won an ACC title since 1980.

One person who knows how to leave the NFL to go to college football is Bill O’Brien.

🔊 Patriots Talk Podcast: BC head coach Bill O’Brien weighs in on Belichick’s STUNNING move to UNC | Listen and Subscribe | Watch on YouTube

He was the Patriots’ offensive coordinator in 2011 and then took over as head coach at Penn State in 2012. After two years at Penn State, O’Brien became the head coach of the Houston Texans from 2014 to 2020. After a stint at Alabama and a brief return to the Patriots, O’Brien is now in his first season as head coach at Boston College. The Eagles conclude their season on December 28 against Nebraska in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

What does O’Brien think of Belichick’s move to college football? He joined Tom E. Curran on the latest episode of NBC Sports Boston Patriots Talk Podcast to discuss this topic and more.

“That doesn’t surprise me that much,” O’Brien said. “I would say the way the structure is in the NFL, in most organizations, with the exception of maybe, let’s just say, the Kansas City Chiefs and maybe the Los Angeles Rams, maybe in those places it’s probably a coach-focused system .” But I would say between 28 and 30 other teams it’s a partnership.

“It’s a partnership between a general manager and a head coach who have to see eye to eye. And if that’s not the case, it’s difficult to produce a successful team. And so I think what Bill, and I don’t speak.” For Bill, I didn’t speak to Bill at all…but I guess it just wasn’t a good fit, and in college football you can go where you believe that they do Give you the resources to get things done the one in charge. It is a coach-centric model in college football.

“You definitely have people to report to, don’t get me wrong. He’s got a boss at North Carolina football, strength and conditioning, nutrition, player development, your style. And I think that’s what it came down to for him.

It’s true that very few NFL teams give a head coach complete control (or at least close to it), particularly when it comes to roster decisions and lineups. Belichick commanded tremendous authority in New England for more than two decades, but in 2024 that type of setup doesn’t really exist.

However, they exist in college football. In college, head coaches run the program. They have immense influence and many of them are stars in their own right.

There are likely other reasons why Belichick chose North Carolina. He actually has a family connection to the school, as his father was an assistant coach for the Tar Heels for three years in the 1950s.

Belichick’s hiring provides a much-needed boost to North Carolina’s football program. Will it lead to more success on the field? We’ll have to wait to find out, but UNC has a pretty soft 2025 schedule.

Also in this episode:

• A look ahead to BC vs. Nebraska in the Pinstripe Bowl

• Is O’Brien surprised by Belichick’s move?

• How will Belichick change as a coach?