Bill Belichick, forget the NFL. Score payback with UNC football

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Bill Belichick, forget the NFL. Score payback with UNC football

Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Thu, Jan 29, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Amid the hysteria surrounding the snub heard 'round the world , let's remember Bill Belichick will get another crack at the Hall of Fame . This will iron out, and Belichick eventually will gain enshrinement in Canton.

In the meantime, Belichick can cast his sights on another Hall of Fame. The one in Atlanta . That's the College Football Hall of Fame.

You might be thinking, "Isn't Belichick 73 years old? How's he going to build a College Hall of Fame resume?"

Opinion: I'm a Pro Football Hall of Fame voter. We blew it with Bill Belichick snub

'I don't understand it.' Tom Brady on Bill Belichick Hall of Fame snub

Age is just a number, folks. Curt Cignetti's number is 64, and he's college football's new overlord.

Anyway, what else does Belichick have to occupy his time but college football? How many queen pageants can one man stomach?

1 /35

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

Jan. 19, 2026: TV analyst Bill Belichick watches the Miami Hurricanes play the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The NFL world is still reeling from the news that former New England Patriots head coach and six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick will not be a first-ballot entrant into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Among those the most surprised is Belichick's former quarterback that led all six of his Super Bowl champion Patriots teams: Tom Brady. "I don't understand it. I mean, I was with him every day. If he's not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there's really no coach that should ever be a Hall of Famer," said Brady, the five-time Super Bowl MVP and current Fox Sports broadcaster, in an interview with Seattle Sports.

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Jan. 19, 2026: TV analyst Bill Belichick watches the Miami Hurricanes play the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The NFL world is still reeling from the news that former New England Patriots head coach and six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick will not be a first-ballot entrant into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Among those the most surprised is Belichick's former quarterback that led all six of his Super Bowl champion Patriots teams: Tom Brady. "I don't understand it. I mean, I was with him every day. If he's not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there's really no coach that should ever be a Hall of Famer," said Brady, the five-time Super Bowl MVP and current Fox Sports broadcaster, in an interview with Seattle Sports.

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Oct. 25, 2025: Bill Belichick looks over the North Carolina Tar Heels football team before a game against Virginia at Kenan Stadium. The Tar Heels finished 4-8 in Belichick's first season as head coach.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

Feb. 6, 2025: Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre in New Orleans.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Dec. 12, 2024: Bill Belichick is introduced as the new head football coach at the University of North Carolina, and holds up the sweatshirt worn by his father when he was an assistant coach for the Tar Heels.
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)

June 12, 2024: Former Patriots Coach Bill Belichick (L) embraces former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on stage during the 2024 Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Tom Brady is the 35th person to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
(Joseph Prezioso, AFP via Getty Images)

May 5, 2024: (L-R) Tom Brady and Bill Belichick speak onstage during G.R.O.A.T The Greatest Roast Of All Time: Tom Brady for the Netflix is a Joke Festival at The Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.
(Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images for Netflix)

Jan. 12, 2024: A pop-up tribute to longtime Patriots coach Bill Belichick along Barnstable Rd in Hyannis, Massachusetts after it was announced Jerod Mayo will be the team's new head coach.
(Steve Heaslip, Cape Cod Times via USA TODAY Network)

Jan. 11, 2024: Head coach Bill Belichick (L) of the New England Patriots shakes hands with owner Robert Kraft (R) during a press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl victories with the team.
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)

Jan. 7, 2024: Bill Belichick watches from the sideline as the New England Patriots lose, 17-3, to the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium in the 2023 regular-season finale. The Patriots finished 4-13, the worst record of Belichick's head coaching career. Four days later, Belichick and the Patriots parted ways, ending a 24-season run together.
(David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports)

Nov. 26, 2023: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during his team's game against the New Your Giants at MetLife Stadium.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)

Aug. 3, 2019: Ty Law poses with his Hall of Fame bust with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

May 4, 2019: Danny Amendola, Linda Holliday, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady attend the 145th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
(Robin Marchant, Getty Images for Churchill Downs)

Feb. 3, 2019: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Linda Holliday celebrate after the Patriots' win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It was Belichick's sixth Super Bowl win as Patriots head coach.
(Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

Jan. 20, 2019: Tom Brady is interviewed by CBS Sports' Jim Nantz after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime in the AFC championship game, 37-31, as head coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft look on.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

Feb. 4, 2018: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines in front of quarterback Tom Brady during the team's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
(Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

Jan. 13, 2018: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the cold during the AFC divisional playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won the game, 35-14.
(David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports)

Apr. 19, 2017: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, President Donald Trump, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and Patriots president Jonathan Kraft stand with Patriots players as President Trump holds a helmet at a ceremony honoring the Super Bowl LI champion Patriots on the South Lawn at the White House.
(Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)

Feb. 5, 2017: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. The Patriots won, 34-28, in overtime, overcoming a 28-3 deficit as Belichick won his fifth Super Bowl as Patriots head coach.
(Daniel Powers, USA TODAY Sports)

Jan. 24, 2016: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick meets Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) on the field after the AFC championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Patriots, 20-18, to earn a trip to Super Bowl 50. Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
(Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports)

April 23, 2015: President Barack Obama poses between New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft, along with team members, during a ceremony honoring the 2014 Super Bowl champion on the South Lawn at the White House.
(Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)

April 13, 2015: New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Jonathan Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady walk to the mound during ceremonies for the Boston Red Sox's home opener against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park.
(David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports)

Feb. 1, 2015: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is dunked with Gatorade after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

Dec. 14, 2014: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after clinching the AFC East title with a 41-13 win over the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.
(Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports)

Dec. 12, 2010: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Patriots defeated the Bears, 36-7.
(Rob Grabowski, US PRESSWIRE)

Feb. 3, 2008: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Patriots, 17-14. New England had entered the game with a perfect 18-0 record.
(Mark J. Rebilas, US PRESSWIRE)

July 13, 2005: Bill Belichick (left) accepts the award for best Coach/Manager from presenters Garrett Hedlund and Mark Wahlberg onstage at the 13th Annual ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.
(Kevin Winter, Getty Images)

Feb. 1, 2004: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Carolina Panthers, 32-29, in Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
(US PRESSWIRE)

Jan. 18, 2004: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with linebacker Willie McGinest after defeating the Indianapolis Colts, 24-14, in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)

Feb. 3, 2002: FOX Sports announcer Terry Bradshaw talks with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft after winning Super Bowl XXXVI, 20-17, against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome.
(US PRESSWIRE)

Jan. 30, 2002: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick directs his team practice in New Orleans, four days before playing the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.
(ROBERTO SCHMIDT, AFP via Getty Images)

Dec. 19, 1998: New York Jets defensive coordinator Bill Belichick hugs defensive end Anthony Pleasant at the conclusion of the Jets' 17-10 win over the Buffalo Bills that clinched the AFC East division title.
(WAYNE SCARBERRY, AFP via Getty Images)

Feb. 4, 1997: Bill Belichick and Steve Gutman, president of the New York Jets, pose for photographers at the Jets' training facility after Belichick was named the team's new head coach. Belichick's tenure as head coach lasted just six days, as Bill Parcells was elevated to head coach and Belichick would be assistant head coach/defensive coordinator.
(MALCOLM CLARKE, AFP via Getty Images)

Jan. 1, 1995: New England Patriots head coach Bill Parcells talks with Cleveland Browns head coach Bill Belichick prior to the 1994 AFC wild-card playoff game at Cleveland Stadium. The Browns won the game, 20-13.
(US PRESSWIRE)

Dec. 6, 1992: Cleveland Browns head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines during his team's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Stadium. The Browns won the game, 37-21.
(US PRESSWIRE)

Sept. 8, 1991: Cleveland Browns head coach Bill Belichick prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Foxboro Stadium. The Browns defeated the Patriots, 20-0.
(US PRESSWIRE)

It's not like he's a threat to head back to the NFL. The Shield is finished with him. If we needed convincing Belichick's NFL days are but a memory, we got evidence this offseason.

Several NFL jobs opened. None of those organizations hired Belichick.

North Carolina football is Bill Belichick's present and future

Beli belongs to the college game now and into the future. His march toward college enshrinement began with a 4-8 season for Chapel Bill.

OK, so that's a rough start, right? Well, no worse than Belichick's 6-10 debut with the Cleveland Browns in 1991.

Consider 2025 a launch point — both for Jordon Hudson's career as a Svengali , and for Belichick's pursuit of induction into the hallowed halls in Atlanta.

Word is , some Canton voters were turned off from Belichick because of the Spygate and Deflategate scandals that occurred on his watch. Pfft, those killjoys wouldn't last a minute in the college game. The NCAA's morality police are out to pasture. This here is a land for living in the gray.

Michigan would consider deflating a few footballs child's play.

And if you want to steal somebody's quarterback , no problem. Just make sure to stage the plunder with a wad of cash in hand.

As for Belichick's dating choices, well, he's never wrecked a motorcycle with a staff member who doubled as a mistress along for the ride.

Belichick dating a 24-year-old seems quite trivial when you consider Michigan's former coach faces a felony charge and allegations that he terrorized his ex-mistress , and Ohio fired its coach while citing his romantic relationship with a student .

Belichick is but a saint in this hotbed of sin we call college football.

He even dipped off to Nantucket for a hand-holding adventure with his girlfriend, while in the heat of college football season. How's that for a good boyfriend?

Now, Belichick just needs to win some games, because we tolerate a lot in college football, but there's no stomach for losing.

Bill Belichick's UNC football rebuild must include a QB

We've seen just how easily Belichick can ignite. All he needs is 20 seasons with one quarterback named Brady, plus a few spy cams, and he can turn an otherwise unremarkable coaching career into GOAT status.

Now, if only he could find another quarterback like the chin-dimpled glory boy.

That shouldn't be hard, right? It's not as if he must develop a quarterback. Buy one from the transfer market. That's the beauty of the college game.

Only, Belichick isn't having much luck practicing the plundering arts. His first attempt at a transfer quarterback went splat. Gio Lopez , fresh from South Alabama, withered at UNC. The Tar Heels ' latest round of portal shopping includes a pair of unheralded former backup quarterbacks.

C'mon, Beli. This isn't that hard. Find a rich booster . Smile, shake his hand, have a meal with him, award him a spot on your speed dial, and get access to his checkbook. Then, make a purchase.

Belichick, perhaps wanting to show he's not an NFL flight risk, seems intent on playing the long game. Entering the second year of a five-year deal at UNC , his staff has asked for patience as Belichick hatches his plan.

You can't rush greatness. Well, Curt Cignetti can, but Cig didn't have to worry about protecting GOAT status, did he?

Belichick is taking the scenic route to success. While UNC's peers fueled up on proven transfers, Belichick signed a modestly rated portal haul.

Instead of buying plug-and-play problem solvers, Belichick signed 38 high school prospects. The majority were three-star recruits.

What better way for Belichick to prove he can develop talent?

It's only a matter time before it crystalizes that Belichick is charting a course for enshrinement in Atlanta.

Or, maybe not. Better chance he'll one day head to Canton, with a UNC buyout check in hand.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As NFL snubs Bill Belichick, maybe he's made for college Hall of Fame

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