North Carolina Tar Heels is ready for an exciting new era of football with Bill Belichick at the helm of the first college season in his famous career.

But a new report says Belichick, the eight-time Super Bowl champion, six of whom came as head coach of the New England Patriots, was not UNC’s first election.

ESPN reports that Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator, was, as Tar Heels, was most desired to press as the man to take over their program.

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However, Smith chose to stay in the NFL, where he had a failed stint like Atlanta Falcons’ head coach. On the other hand, Tar Heels went to Belichick and the move shocked the whole football world as he accepted the job.

“Smith was fascinated and he was seen as a consensus candidate at UNC with the support of (UNC Chancellor Lee) Roberts and board members,” the ESPN report read.

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While Smith’s coaching career does not hold a light to Belichicks, he has Tar Heel’s story.

Smith played for UNC from 2001 to 2005, and after his play days ended, he became a candidate assistant in 2006.

Smith acknowledged that Tar Heels had given him a “preliminary call” when Mack Brown’s dismissal came in November. But he was focused on Steelers, who eventually played playoffs like a Wild Card team.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith looks at when Justin Fields, No. 2 of Pittsburgh Steelers, warms up before Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 8, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Smith would eventually have his coaching career to the NFL and worked his way through the ranks until the Tennessee Titans gave him a shot at offensive coordinator. His success under Mike Vabel led him to be tapped by Falcons to take on their main coach role.

However, that time from 2021 to 2023 did not work where a main problem was the proper use of dynamic race Bijan Robinson back, the team’s first round of election in 2023. Tyler Allgeier consistently carried away from Robinson, although the latter still ended with 214 in 976 yards and four touchdowns.

Smith’s first season in Pittsburgh as their offensive coordinator led to a mid-pack season final with 22.4 points per year. Battle (16.). The team was also 23. Fight (319.4).

Meanwhile, Belichick spent the year out of coaching rather than going into the sports media with his weekly appearances at ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show”, among other opportunities.

North Carolina Tar Heels’ new head coach Bill Belichick talks to the media at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon-Preferred Pictures)

But Belichick’s negotiations with UNC led to a five-year agreement of $ 50 million, which also includes a buyout should an NFL team call.