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Tar Heels football coach Bill Belichick decided to use one of President Donald Trump’s famous lines to slam a report against his program.
During a recent news conference, Belichick was asked by a reporter if he felt his UNC program was headed in a new direction since he released a statement maintaining his commitment to the program despite a report saying school principals were discussing a potential buyout amid his 2-5 campaign.
Belichick, whose Tar Heels narrowly lost to No. 15 Virginia over the weekend, fired back.
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North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick leads his team during a game on September 6 in Charlotte, NC (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
“It’s never been anything but that,” he said, referring to his players’ efforts.
“Whoever that story came from, it’s already been taken down and everything else. It’s just total — as Trump would say — fake news. It’s just a novel. Look, our context has been here since the day Michael Lombardi and I came in and started hiring people and came into the organization in December.
“We came in the same day and have been doing it every day and that’s the way it’s going to be.”
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It’s no secret that Belichick’s first season practice at the college level isn’t going according to plan. UNC has lost four straight weeks and has been blown out several times this season.
Rumors surfaced earlier this month that Belichick and the school were discussing a “potential exit strategy” amid the failed season, according to 247 Sports. Belichick has a significant $20 million buyout as part of his contract, though the report added that an alleged rules violation could help the program either eliminate or reduce the buyout.
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)
However, Belichick and athletic director Bill Cunningham released separate statements saying there is no interest in leaving Chapel Hill.
“I am fully committed to UNC Football and the program we are building here,” Belichick’s statement read.
Cunningham added, “Coach Belichick has the full support of the Department of Athletics and the University.”
There’s been no shortage of reports and rumors since Belichick took the job earlier this year, but at this point, he’s used to the outside noise.
New North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photos)
“I’m sure there are a lot of other people who want to get clicks and views and posts on ‘myface’ or whatever. It’s just a lot of rubbish,” he added.
The Tar Heels will face Syracuse on the road this Friday. UNC currently has no more ranked teams on its ACC schedule for the remainder of the 2025 season.
