Coach Bill Belichick has officially put an end to rumors that he’s interested in leaving North Carolina for a chance to coach the New York Giants, a franchise he has a long history with dating to his early years in the NFL.
Belichick spent 11 years filling various coaching roles for the Giants from 1979 to 1990, including five years as defensive coordinator under coach Bill Parcells. The team won two Super Bowls during that run, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in 1986 and 1990. Belichick earned his first head-coaching role with the Cleveland Browns after the Super Bowl XXV victory.
In a post to his Instagram on Friday, Belichick acknowledged that history, but said he would not seek the team’s open head-coaching job.
“I have great respect and genuinely care for the New York Giants organization and both the Mara and Tisch families. The New York Giants played an important role in my life and in my coaching journey,” Belichick said Friday in the post. “It was a privilege for me to work for the Mara family and be a member of Coach Parcells’ staff for over a decade. However, despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.”
The Giants fired coach Brian Daboll on Monday, midway through his fourth season with the team. Going into Week 11, the Giants are 2-8, and offensive play-caller Mike Kafka will take the helm as interim coach for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
Belichick is in his first season as coach of the Tar Heels, having taken a year off from coaching in the wake of his 2023 departure from the New England Patriots. He is under contract for five years (three of which are guaranteed), with a $10 million per year salary and additional incentives based on his team’s performance.
So far, that performance has been underwhelming, however. Ranked 13th in the ACC, North Carolina has a record of 4-5. It has won just two conference matchups with three games left in the season.
Despite criticism of his college debut and public ridicule over his dating life’s impact on the team, Belichick has consistently reinforced his expectation that things will turn around for UNC. He did so again Friday.
“Since arriving in Chapel Hill, my commitment to the UNC Football program has not (wavered). We have tremendous support from the university, our alumni, and the entire Carolina community,” Belichick said. “My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players, and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud. We’re on to Wake Forest.”
Belichick was rumored to be a top target for the Giants job, with The Athletic’s Dan Duggan recently describing him as a perennial “white whale for the organization.” Duggan also noted, however, that “(Belichick’s) star has dimmed since an unceremonious end to his six Super Bowl runs in New England. The 73-year-old now carries baggage that makes him less appealing.”
The Tar Heels face the Demon Deacons (who are 6-3) at home Saturday after a 20-15 win over Stanford last week.