Bill Belichick hasn’t coached a single snap at North Carolina yet, but the NFL legend couldn’t resist firing a subtle shot back at Robert Kraft before his Tar Heels debut
Before Bill Belichicks North Carolina football team even takes the field for its prime-time season-opener in Chapel Hill against TCU, the legendary former New England Patriots head coach couldnt resist one more quiet jab at his old organization, specifically owner Robert Kraft.
Belichick met with reporters Thursday inside the Kenan Football Center and was asked about the differences between building a college program and his decades of running an NFL dynasty. His passionate answer revealed his true feelings with a subtle tone about the longstanding beef with Kraft.
“There’s no owner, theres no owner’s son, there’s no (salary) cap, everything that goes with the marketing and everything else, which Im all for. But its way less than what it was at that level,” Belichick said.
“Generic NFL teams, you have the owner, president, general manager, personnel director, college director, pro director, cap guy, some other consultant, then head coach. When we had our best years in New England, we had fewer people and more of a direct vision. And as that expanded, it became harder to be successful.
The words appeared to once again subtly criticize the Patriots’ leadership during the late 2010s, a period when Belichick’s independence was questioned by Robert Kraft and his son Jonathan Kraft, who has been the team president since 1997.
During New Englands six-title dynasty (20012019), Belichick served as both head coach and general manager, granting him authority over team roster decisions and strategic planning.
That balance shifted as the dynasty aged, especially after Tom Brady reached 40.
Belichick began plotting the post-Brady era after drafting Jimmy Garoppolo in 2014, hoping to hand him the reins by 2017. But Kraft sided with his three-time league MVP, whom he considered a “son,” and pushed Belichick to stay the course.
The result was Garoppolo’s trade to the 49ers for a second-round pick, a compromise Belichick reportedly resented. Garoppolo would go on to lose the starting job to Brock Purdy, while Brady walked after the 2019 season and won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay in his first year.
Bill Belichick is now in Chapel Hill, preparing the University of North Carolina (UNC) for their home game against the Horned Frogs on Sept. 1.
The pressure is mounting for the NFL legend, as the Tar Heels have started each of the last three seasons with a record of 3-0 or better.
North Carolina’s last bowl game win came in 2019, and their last double-digit winning season was in 2015.
The Tar Heels’ schedule features several tough opponents this season, including No. 4 Clemson, an improving Syracuse team, and top teams in the ACC.
UNC Football 2025 Schedule
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