CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who won six Super Bowls with the franchise, has been interviewed by North Carolina for their vacant head football coaching job, according to Inside Carolina.
The outlet said Belichick is among the candidates the Tar Heels have spoken to since firing Mack Brown on Nov. 26. The 72-year-old led the Patriots from 2000 to 2023, finding success with Tom Brady quarterbacking his teams to the six championships.
The list of interviewees, Inside Carolina said, also includes three current college head football coaches: Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, Tulane’s Jon Sumrall and Army’s Jeff Monken.
Inside Carolina also confirmed Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann and UNC interim coach Freddie Kitchens — who will coach the Tar Heels in their bowl game — have been interviewed.
Campbell and Sumrall are considered the top candidates, Inside Carolina said.
Brown was fired following the Tar Heels’ 41-21 loss to Boston College the Saturday before Thanksgiving, but was allowed to coach the rivalry game against NC State this past Saturday.
The Wolfpack won that game in Chapel Hill by a score of 35-30 then tried to plant a flag at midfield in Kenan Stadium. That led to a brawl between the rivals, prompting the Atlantic Coast Conference to issue fines to both teams.
That game and ensuing chaos marked the end of Brown’s second tenure as UNC’s head coach. He led the Tar Heels from 1988 to 1997 before leaving for Texas, where he won a national championship in 2005. He was rehired in Chapel Hill ahead of the 2019 season.