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Bill Belichick may not get the college coaching debut he had hoped for in his first season with the North Carolina Tar Heels, but the New England Patriots legend remains undisputed when it comes to his legacy in the NFL.
On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that Belichick was among the final 12 coaches in the running for the 2026 class, a group that will be narrowed to nine semifinalists in early November.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick turns his whistle during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Other notable coaches in the run include Tom Coughlin, who led New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories, as well as Super Bowl champions Mike Holmgren, George Seifert and Mike Shanahan.
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Belichick finished his NFL coaching career in 2023 as the architect of one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history that saw the Patriots win six Super Bowls during his tenure.
Tuesday’s news comes amid a turbulent start for Belichick in North Carolina.
Between Tar Heels’ 2-4 record and Belichick’s relationship with Jordon Hudson taking over much of the headlines, Belichick’s debut season has been filled with distraction. Earlier this month, Hulu reportedly pulled the plug on a docuseries following the coach’s first season.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick and boyfriend Jordon Hudson watch from the sidelines vs TCU at Kenan Memorial Stadium. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
BILL BELICHICK, JORDON HUDSON’S HOT MIC MOMENT LEAKED IN UNC’S DRAMA-FILLED SEASON
That decision broke after North Carolina’s loss to Clemson at home.
Last week, a heated microphone moment between Belichick and Hudson was leaked. In the clip obtained by “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” the pair can be heard making dismissive remarks about the production and graphics team during tapings of Belichick’s show, “Coach,” which aired on the Underdog Network last year.
The media circus surrounding the longtime coach reached a point where rumors began to circulate that both parties were discussing a “potential exit strategy.” But Belichick and UNC later released statements denying that.
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sideline during the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
“I am fully committed to UNC Football and the program we are building here,” Belichick said at the time.
