It’s no secret that things aren’t going well for Bill Belichick in his first season as head coach at the University of North Carolina. And with that, it seems his time there could end a lot sooner than expected.

The Guardian’s Ollie Connolly reports that Belichick has begun discussing buyout options with UNC, even going as far as to signal “willingness to trigger his own $1 million buyout if he can find a soft landing with another team or in media.” And with that, members of his coaching staff have already started to look for jobs with other teams that will be in the College Football Playoffs.

“The rats are leaving the ship,” one coach told Connolly, who added that some expect “a change will come within two weeks.”

“What we’ve done to these kids is f***ed up,” a UNC defensive assistant added.

Belichick’s communication with his staff over the past two weeks has been “weird” and “distant” according to members of the UNC coaching staff, with Connolly adding that, “multiple coaches were unable to get hold of him during UNC’s bye week.”

The Tar Heels are currently ranked 113th out of 136 in total offense, while also ranking last in the ACC in scoring.

North Carolina Facing NCAA Rules Violations

The Athletic reports that a UNC cornerbacks coach was suspended, the University announced on Tuesday. Armond Hawkins was suspended due to “extra benefits allegations that came to light in a report about the dysfunction within Bill Belichick’s UNC program by WRAL,” the outlet added.

“The alleged extra benefits — which are in violation of NCAA rules — involved providing a player’s family members sideline passes for a game, according to the source,” The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman writes.

College Football

UNC head coach Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson denied in trademark filings

A decision has been made.

Sophie Weller