Bill Belichick Reveals He Spoke to Michael Jordan Before Accepting UNC Contract Offer

Bill Belichick divulged Thursday that he spoke to legendary University of North Carolina and Chicago Bulls basketball star Michael Jordan before accepting the position of head football coach at UNC.

According to TMZ Sports, Belichick said at his introductory press conference that he also talked to Pro Football Hall of Famers and UNC alums Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers.

Belichick did not reveal the exact nature of the conversations with Jordan, Taylor and Peppers, other than to say they were “very supportive.”

The 72-year-old coach added: “There’s been a ton of support from ex-players and other UNC alums. This is a great brand and a great support system here. So I’m excited to spend more time with these people.”

Jordan famously starred with the Tar Heels from 1981 to 1984, leading them to a national championship in 1982 and winning National College Player of the Year in 1984.

He then spent 13 seasons with the Bulls, establishing himself as arguably the greatest basketball player of all time by virtue of his five NBA MVP awards, six NBA championships and six NBA Finals MVP awards.

Given Jordan’s legendary status and the fact that he went to UNC and grew up in North Carolina, his blessing may have been an important aspect of Belichick and the University of North Carolina reaching a deal.

Belichick and UNC agreed to a five-year deal, which will see the NFL legend coach collegiately for the first time in his illustrious career.

He spent 29 seasons as a head coach with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, going 302-165. In his 24 seasons with the Pats, he led them to 17 AFC East titles, nine Super Bowl appearances and six Super Bowl wins.

Belichick also won a pair of Super Bowls as the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator, and Taylor was his star defensive player in New York.

After Belichick and the Patriots parted ways following a 4-13 season in 2023, the expectation was that he would land on his feet as the head coach of a different NFL team.

Instead, he didn’t come away with a job from the last hiring cycle, and he opted to join the college ranks rather than interviewing for more NFL jobs at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

UNC will count on Belichick to turn around a program that went 6-6 this season and has not won 10 or more games in a season since 2015.

While North Carolina has won six national titles in men’s basketball, it has never come particularly close in football, but Belichick has a championship pedigree that could prove to be a game-changer.