It’s looking like there could be a quick divorce on Chapel Hill between Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tarheels.
According to reports, the school has engaged in “potential exit strategy discussions” for the NFL coaching legend who has floundered in his first year in charge of the NCAA program.
After just five games following a tumultuous off-season, the school reportedly had “preliminary conversations” about firing the six-time Super Bowl winning head coach, but there is a sizable obstacle in their way: Belichick’s $20-million US buyout.
However, several alleged rules violations could reduce or even eliminate the buyout for the school.
Belichick also reportedly has expressed interest in triggering his own buyout option – which would net him $1 million – if he can find a good landing spot, either with another team or in broadcasting.
Belichick’s tenure with the Tarheels has attracted more bad attention than good. His 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, has been a constant presence around the team, being spotted on the sidelines with the coach during games.
According to reports, Belichick has been “weird” and “distant” with his staff and some coaches were unable to reach him during the bye week – during which the 73-year-old was spotted in Nantucket with Hudson.
Ollie Connolly of The Guardian reported that several members of Belichick’s staff are looking to leave with one coach saying “the rats are leaving the ship.”
There also are reports of serious recruiting and practice violations with another coach saying “what we’ve done to these kids is fucked up.”
Earlier this week, UNC cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins was suspended for allegedly giving extra benefits to players, such as sideline passes to family members.
The Tar Heels are 2-3 this season with all three losses coming in blowouts — including the star-studded season-opener during which many UNC alumni were spotted in the crowd and in suites at the stadium.
Things don’t look like they’ll be getting easier for Belichick and Co., either with their next game coming on Oct. 17 against California, with the host Golden Bears favoured by 13.5 points.