Bill Belichick is not returning to his longtime home of Massachusetts just yet, as he is not expected to accompany UNC at the Fenway Bowl on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The Tar Heels are set to face UConn in their final contest of the 2024 season, where the team currently has a 6-6 record, down compared to their previous two seasons.
Belichick has decided to take a backseat approach ahead of his first season at UNC next fall, being absent from the Fenway Bowl media day and UNC bowl practice.
According to Thamel, UNC’s athletic director Bubba Cunningham has made the reason behind Belichick’s recent absence clear, he is trying not to be a distraction for the team.
“He’s totally dialed into building the roster,” Cunningham said. “He didn’t want to go to practice or be a distraction to the kids or the coaches for the bowl game.”
Cunningham continued, “It’s been great. He and Mike Lombardi have locked themselves in a room and really spent all the time since he’s been announced, building the roster for this spring and next year.”
Current interim coach Freddie Kitchens, who will be a part of Belichick’s future staff at UNC, said that despite speaking to Belichick every day, he will have zero input into the upcoming bowl game.
The Fenway Bowl will determine if the Tar Heels dodge their first losing season since 2021, where UConn is hoping to have their best record since 2007 with a win on Saturday.
Belichick’s signing was announced by UNC on Dec. 11, and confirmed by the school’s Board of Trustees the following day.
Belichick received a five-year deal that has an annual salary of $10 million, with the first three years of the deal being guaranteed.
Belichick’s contract also offers a $200,000 bonus for winning nine games, and increases by $50,000 for each following win.