Is Bill Belichick coaching UNC's bowl game? Legendary head coach reveals his North Carolina football debut
North Carolina football takes on UConn in the 2024 Fenway Bowl on Saturday morning, but will Bill Belichick be on the sidelines for his debut? Fans everywhere want to see how this unexpected pairing will go, so Belichick clarified when he'll start coaching. The Tar Heels are looking to start the Belichick era with a […]
North Carolina football takes on UConn in the 2024 Fenway Bowl on Saturday morning, but will Bill Belichick be on the sidelines for his debut? Fans everywhere want to see how this unexpected pairing will go, so Belichick clarified when he'll start coaching.
The Tar Heels are looking to start the Belichick era with a win after a disappointing 6-6 campaign. UConn, coming off an 8-4 season in which it emerged as one of the best underdog stories of the year, hopes to spoil the Fenway Bowl for the Tar Heels.
However, they won't get the chance to see Belichick on the sideline for this matchup.
North Carolina will instead be led by Freddie Kitchens, who will stay on the staff under Belichick after joining the team almost one year ago. The former Cleveland Browns head coach has been an offensive assistant throughout his career.
Kitchens has served as UNC's run game coordinator and tight ends coach for the past two seasons. Before joining Brown's staff, he had a lengthy coaching career in the NFL, primarily in assistant roles.
In 2019, he was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, finishing with a 6-10 record. He has also worked with the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, and Dallas Cowboys from 2006 to 2021.
When Belichick took on his new role, he mentioned that Kitchens was "his first hire" for the coaching staff, though the specific position he will hold remains uncertain. While Belichick won't be actively coaching the Tar Heels during their matchup against the Huskies, it's likely he will be present at the game.
Belichick has emphasized that as UNC prepares for their game against UConn, he won't jump ahead or interfere with their preparations.
"Several coaches are involved in bowl games, so I won't interfere with the process of those schools and their commitments to those teams," Belichick said at his introductory press conference. "In the end, I've already had a lot of people contact me. There will be a strong presence of NFL people on the staff and in the training area. At the same time, I'm looking for the best people we can get for Carolina."
