North Carolina head coach Bill Belchick was asked about NFL openings this year. He didn't exactly say not to a return, and seemed to criticize Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank.
On Monday, North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick appeared to deny interest in returning to the league during an appearance on the “Let’s Go!" podcast.
Following a 4-8 season in his first campaign in Chapel Hill, Belichick didn't exactly say that he wouldn't take an interview for an NFL head coaching gig this month, but did say he was happy with his status at North Carolina.
“Yeah, nothing's changed," Belichick said. "Yeah, I'm where I was a month ago. I'm here in North Carolina. I really appreciate the love and support that we've gotten from the community down here, from the school... We're building a good program.
"I'm excited about the direction we're headed in.”
Belichick appeared to question the direction of another NFL franchise during the appearance.
In 2024, Belichick interviewed for the head coaching position of the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons ultimately decided to pass on the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, hiring Raheem Morris.
Following an 8-9 season, Atlanta owner Arthur Blank decided to clean house, firing Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot.
Per a source, the Falcons are turning to Chad Chatlos of ZRG Partners as the search firm to find their next head coach and general manager.
Belichick didn't mention Blank or the Falcons directly, but criticized NFL teams who use search firms to hire head coaches.
"It's kinda surprising to me when I see owners hire a search firm to pick out their head coach," Belichick said. "It seems like, to me, the ownership should be aligned with the head coach or the general manager.
"Whoever those top decision makers are, they should all be in alignment rather than let somebody else go out and decide, well, 'Here's how your organization is going to run.'”
Belichick believes alignment is necessary to win.
"If there's conflict and there's misalignment, it's hard enough to win when you're aligned and it's really hard to win if you're not," Belichick said.
The Falcons seemed to have an alignment when they decided to pass on Belichick for Morris. Now Blank is looking for new leadership in a way that might scare a coach like Belichick off.