Bill Belichick has certainly not had a quiet offseason. While that's not exactly how the new North Carolina coach wanted things to go, he hopes his first season with the Tar Heels on the field is even louder.
Belichick enters his first year in the college ranks with more questions than answers. Still, many — including college football analyst Joel Klatt — believe the legendary coach will quickly apply his expertise at the college level and surprise people in the process.
"I don't think Bill Belichick cares what all the noise is this offseason, what people are talking about, who they're talking about," Klatt said. "I think he cares about getting this roster, the team, the players, to believe they can go out there and just do their job. And if you do that, in that conference against that schedule, I don't think anyone's running away from them. So, there's a good chance this is a team that's going to be in a lot of games they play."
According to ESPN’s College Football Power Index, North Carolina currently ranks 51st in schedule strength and has a 72.7% chance of winning at least six games, which would make the team bowl eligible. They begin their season on Labor Night against TCU. Other notable matchups include Duke, NC State, and Syracuse. The Tar Heels notably avoid tougher conference opponents like Florida State, Miami, SMU, and Georgia Tech.
"I think that he can convince this roster to do that," Klatt said, referencing Belichick’s ability to instill discipline. "And if he does, they will be in and probably win a lot more games than you anticipate this next season."
One player Belichick hopes to have a major impact on is transfer quarterback Gio Lopez, who arrived from South Alabama. Lopez said North Carolina was one of the first schools to reach out once he entered the portal.
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"He's one of the greatest coaches of all time, if not the greatest," Lopez said, per CBS Sports. "So, you know, being handpicked by him to be his quarterback is special. I want to live up to that."
If Belichick can guide North Carolina to a strong first season, it could completely shift the perception of his coaching legacy in college football. After decades of dominance in the NFL, a first stint on the college sidelines would only cement his place among the greatest football minds the sport has ever seen.
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