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Bill Belichick would be open to an NFL return next season and has pinpointed the Miami Dolphins as a potential landing spot, a source has told the Daily Mail.
The legendary New England Patriots head coach has suffered a humiliating start to life in college football, with last weekend's miserable 38-10 defeat to Clemson leaving his sorry North Carolina team with a 2-3 record.
Amid his early struggles, a bombshell report emerged this week claiming he is already looking for a way out of UNC just 10 months after signing a five-year, $50million contract with the university.
According to The Guardian's Ollie Connolly, Belichick is said to have discussed his exit plans with Tar Heels chiefs and is even willing to trigger is own $1m buyout if he finds a better alternative with another team.
The 73-year-old broke his silence on the matter by insisting he is still 'fully committed' to UNC on Wednesday, but an insider claims he would leave to take an NFL job if an opportunity presented itself next year.
While UNC isn't looking to part company with him, Belichick believes he 'might have some options' in the big leagues given 'the way some teams are doing, like the Dolphins,' the source added.
Bill Belichick would be open to an NFL return next season amid doubts over his future with UNC
He is said to have pinpointed Miami as a potential landing spot, with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel currently under pressure
Miami head coach Mike McDaniel is already under serious pressure to keep his job amid the team's woeful start to the season, which has seen them lose four of their opening five games.
Should they drop the axe on McDaniel, Belichick would reportedly consider replacing him at Hard Rock Stadium in 2026.
For now, though, the NFL icon remains determined to turn things around in North Carolina and have 'the last laugh'.
'To change an entire football program, it is going to take more than five games and Bill is looking to right the ship. In this instant gratification world we live in, he is an easy target to go after, now that he is doing bad. But Bill intends to have the last laugh, stay with the Heels are turn the program around,' the source revealed.
'College football, especially now with NIL, is a completely different beast and to incorporate a system like Belichick's with all the media scrutiny is not easy, but Bill is looking to get fans back on his side and be more competitive.
'Bill is convinced it will get better and he knows he isn't going to get fired, UNC is not going to do him dirty like that.'
To add to the circus in Chapel Hill, Belichick's 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson has sparked controversy with her permanent presence by his side.
Hudson, whose romance with the veteran coach sparked controversy when it was revealed last year due to the near 50-year age gap between them, has drawn ire from fans for her overbearing presence after she was spotted giving her man a pep talk during one of her sideline patrols last month.
As well as losing the fans' faith, Belichick is said to have lost the locker room in North Carolina
The permanent presence of girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 24, has also added to the circus
The former cheerleader has drawn ire by constantly appearing on the sidelines at UNC games
As he eyes a potential NFL return or a move to another college, members of Belichick's coaching staff are also preparing to flee with some even reaching out to programs that are expected to make it to the CFB playoffs about potential roles, Connolly's Guardian report added.
Some staffers have reportedly predicted that the expected overhaul could come in the next two weeks with one saying that the 'rats are leaving the ship.'
They also alleged that Belichick's communication with his own coaches has become 'weird' and 'distant' over the past two weeks. He was even said to be unreachable by some members of staff during UNC's recent bye week, which Belichick spent with Hudson.
The explosive report comes amid claims of recruiting violations committed by the football team with it being alleged that Belichick-recruited players are receiving preferential treatment.
The violations, some of which have reportedly been proven, while others remain under investigation, could be used to reduce his buyout. Yet the coach is expected to accept a 'greatly reduced' figure, should he find a soft landing spot, the report said.
Following his split with the Patriots in January 2024, Belichick had reportedly been on the hunt for a new NFL gig - interviewing and missing out on the Atlanta Falcons vacancy, which was ultimately filled by Raheem Morris.
Belichick insists he is still 'fully committed' to UNC despite a report claiming he wants out
After failing to land a new home in the NFL, he spent a season away from the sidelines. The eight-time Super Bowl winner turned to broadcasting, making appearances on the 'Pat McAfee Show', 'Manningcast,' and 'Inside the NFL.'
It was then announced in December 2024 that Belichick would be making a return to coaching with his first foray into college football at UNC for the 2025 season.
'I'm fully committed to UNC Football and the program we're building here,' he said in a short statement on Wednesday amid doubts over his future with the team.
Bubba Cunningham, the school's Director of Athletics, also shared a statement, insisting that Belichick 'has the full support' of the department and the university.
