Bill Belichick has yet to coach a game for the UNC Tar Heels.

But just over a month after making the switch to the collegiate ranks, the former Patriots head coach and future Hall of Famer has already been linked to several rumors regarding a return to the NFL.

Last week, a report from the NFL Network detailed that several NFL teams were gauging Belichick’s interest in leaving the University of North Carolina for another head coaching gig, including a Raiders team which currently boasts Tom Brady as a minority owner. 

“Multiple NFL teams have inquired about whether legendary coach Bill Belichick would reconsider his move to college football — including the Las Vegas Raiders, whose new minority owner Tom Brady spoke recently with his old coach about what it would take to make a reunion happen in Las Vegas, per sources,” NFL Network’s Pelissero noted.

More fuel was added to the fire on Thursday, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reporting that Belichick has still not officially signed his contract with UNC. 

“A UNC spokesperson confirmed Wednesday the term sheet is the only signed document between Belichick and the school,” Jones wrote. “Industry sources agree it is typical at the collegiate level for coaches to begin working without a fully executed contract. Indeed, the UNC spokesperson said that the school has “had coaches coach here for a year before they had an actual contract.”

Amid all the talk of Belichick potentially bolting for another shot in the NFL, Belichick’s girlfriend Jordon Hudson, shut down rumors of a short stint in Chapel Hill with a new Instagram post. 

“Pictured: two people who are overtly committed to @uncfootball,” Hudson posted as the caption to the photo, which features her and Belichick behind a blue backdrop. 

While there are still six head-coach positions available in the NFL as of Thursday night, Belichick has not taken part in any formal interview procedures since taking the Tar Heels’ job in December. 

Speaking last week on the “Pat McAfee Show,” Belichick’s general manager at UNC, Michael Lombardi, pushed back against talk that Belichick was tempted by earning another shot in the NFL. 

“Look, guys that do the insider stuff for the NFL, they’ve got to put stories out there,” Lombardi said. “That one was a complete falsehood. Coach Belichick, when that story came out, was recruiting in south [New] Jersey, and today he was at Bergen Catholic [High School]. … I mean that story just had no legs.

“Yes, Tom Brady is calling people up for advice and counsel because that’s why he’s so great at what he does, because he’s listening for advice,” Lombardi added. “But don’t assume that just because he’s doing that he wants Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick is committed to North Carolina. He committed it to me, he committed it to the university. There has been no conversation about anything.”

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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