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Two-time Super Bowl champion and former New England Patriots defensive star Asante Samuel believes his former coach is a bit of a “hypocrite” in the latest chapter of his career.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback talked about Bill Belichick’s transition to college football midway through his first season with the UNC Tar Heels.
New England Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel (22) reacts during the second half against the San Diego Chargers during the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on January 20, 2007. (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
Aside from his early struggles on the field, Belichick has faced particular scrutiny off the field — including over his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson and her reported involvement in the coach’s football dealings.
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“He’s going to go through growing pains. Man, he’s been in the NFL so long — he’s adjusted to coaching kids and younger athletes with the new NIL era and stuff, it might take him a while to adjust to the system.”
Samuel noted that the infamous “Belichick way,” which resulted in great success for the coach during his long NFL career, has — and should — change.
“Obviously, he needs to grow out of his ways.”
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick and boyfriend Jordon Hudson watch from the sidelines vs TCU at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on September 1, 2025. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
But the conversation sparked a moment of reflection for Samuel, who noted that Belichick hasn’t held himself to the same standards he used to hold his players to.
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“Coaching is being a hypocrite, man,” he said. “He’s been a hypocrite, the way he’s been. He told us to stay away from the media and not have family disturbances and stuff. Coach has all this going on. Coach, where did this come from? Why weren’t we able to enjoy ourselves like this now that you want to enjoy yourself!”
When asked specifically about Belichick’s relationship with Hudson, Samuel gave his former coach some grace.
“Find the happiness. If it gets a little embarrassing and you don’t mind, the other person doesn’t mind and you’re all happy together and it’s authentic, I mean, go with it.”
Belichick ended his NFL coaching career in 2023 as the architect of one of the greatest dynasties in league history, with the Patriots winning six Super Bowls during his tenure.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick’s girlfriend Jordon Hudson, center, wearing white boots, stands on the sidelines before an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
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Between the Tar Heels’ 4-5 record and Belichick’s relationship with Hudson taking over much of the headlines, Belichick’s debut season has been filled with distraction. Last month, Hulu reportedly pulled the plug on a docuseries following the coach’s first season.
A heated microphone moment between Belichick and Hudson was also leaked, in which the pair could be heard making disparaging 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 circulating that both parties were discussing a “potential exit strategy,” but Belichick and UNC later released statements denying that.
And just this week, Belichick shot down speculation that he was interested in the New York Giants’ vacant head coach position.
