It’s no secret that North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick has a strong disdain for his former team, the New England Patriots. But his latest move sends that disliking into overdrive.
The Patriots pulled off a 23-20 upset over AFC East rival Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football in Week 5, thanks in large part to former Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye. Maye delivered one of the best performances of his young career, but according to 247Sports’ Ross Martin, Belichick and his staff instructed the UNC football program not to post or repost anything related to Maye and the Patriots’ win.
Only after the report surfaced on the morning of October 6 did the official Carolina Football X account finally post about Maye’s big night.
Former UNC coach Mack Brown, who was replaced by Belichick, had no hesitation celebrating his former quarterback.
“So happy for Drake. Fun to watch him win last night in Buffalo like he did so many times at UNC. Love and appreciate you my friend! Keep it rolling!” Brown posted.
Maye finished 22 of 30 for 273 yards. He was nearly perfect in the second half, going 13 of 14 for 184 yards, including a key 12-yard completion to Stefon Diggs on the Patriots’ game-winning drive while evading Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.
The Pettiness of Bill Belichick Grows Against the Patriots
This isn’t the first time Belichick has shown pettiness toward New England. He and Patriots owner Robert Kraft have been exchanging jabs through the media all year.
In August, during an interview with The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, Belichick was asked what stood out between coaching in the NFL and college. He responded with a thinly veiled shot at Kraft: “There’s no owner, there’s no owner’s son.”
Earlier this season, Belichick banned Patriots scouts from UNC’s facilities after the Tar Heels’ win over Charlotte.
“It’s obvious I’m not welcome at their facility,” Belichick said, per ESPN. “So they’re not welcome at ours.”
Will North Carolina Have to Make Drastic Decision On Bill Belichick?
It’s clear through just five games that Belichick’s college tenure has been a disaster. The Tar Heels are 2-3 and have been blown out by every Power Four opponent they’ve faced, including Clemson in Week 6. Against TCU, UCF and Clemson, they’ve been outscored 120-33.
Things were so bad in the routing 38-10 by the Tigers in Week 6 that North Carolina fans started fleeing before halftime when the team trailed 35-3.
“North Carolina needs to decide whether they’re going to act in the best interest of their football program or Bill Belichick,” college football analyst Josh Pate posted.
The problem now goes beyond the field for North Carolina. Attempting to stifle recognition of a former player like Maye — and potentially others — because of a personal grudge with the Patriots only deepens the controversy — and further puts in question Belichick’s tenure.
Moving on from the 73-year-old Belichick would not come cheap, though. According to CBS Sports, firing him before December 2027 would cost UNC more than $20 million. Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million deal with the school, with the first three years fully guaranteed.
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