Bill Belichick reveals key details about taking New England Patriots coaching job in 2000
Belichick took over for the New England Patriots in 2000, with his storied history in Foxborough speaking for itself: six Super Bowl titles, 17 AFC East titles and coaching some guy named Tom Brady. Belichick parted ways in New England after the 2023-2024 NFL season – and is now leading your North Carolina Tar Heels.
On Wednesday, Robert Kraft said he took a big risk by hiring Belichick back in 1999. Belichick immediately clapped back at his former boss, telling ESPN he took a big risk by joining a then-sorry franchise.
"As I told Robert multiple times through the years, I took a big risk by taking the New England Patriots head coaching job," Belichick said. "I already had an opportunity to be the Head Coach of the New York Jets, but the ownership situation was unstable."
New England wasn't a perennial Super Bowl contender when Belichick took over, but it wasn't exactly the loser it has been since 2022. The Patriots made three consecutive NFL postseason appearances from 1996-1998, losing Super Bowl XXXI to the Green Bay Packers, but missed the playoffs two straight seasons before bringing Belichick in.
You could also say that UNC took a big risk hiring Belichick, who has yet to coach at the college level. Belichick will be leading young men largely aged 18-21, instead of adults anywhere from 22 to their 40s, but is proving to be a great offseason coach via the transfer portal and high school recruiting.
Now, we await the on-field results of North Carolina's first season under Belichick. Will Bubba Cunningham's "big risk" pay off?
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football coach Bill Belichick took "big risk" for Patriots' job
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