Bill Belichick to UNC? Why the Best NFL Coach Ever Jumped To College | The Bill Simmons Podcast

[@vacumme]

In case you're wondering, Bill did hit the quota of saying that Drake Maye is awesome at least 3 times in this episode.

[@17NateJohnson]

The Brady SB has distorted reality.

[@christopherwilliams2351]

In what way? It’s not like Bill didn’t coach and manage the Patriots multiple years after Brady and was great

[@eliyarrows2456]

@@christopherwilliams2351before that SB it was Bill and Brady. Ever since that SB there’s been a large portion of fans who genuinely think it’s all Brady and bill was just right place right time. And because of that, discussions of the pats dynasty have shifted to Bill OR Brady. It’s nonsensical. It was both of them, but people don’t like that narrative anymore.

[@terrencegibbons3351]

Bill had a losing record before Brady. And after Brady.

[@SomeChink]

@@eliyarrows2456it was both, but it was not equal Coach can coach his heart out, but ultimately it’s up to the players to get it done Anybody who’s ever played or watched sports can see that

[@17NateJohnson]

@@eliyarrows2456 it was Lennon and Mcartney. They both we n SBs without each other, but together it was awesome,

[@thebalb]

Not that there aren't any kernels of truth here, but Seth clearly got this info first-hand from Belichick and is just echoing his perspective.

[@stevenswayze]

Aw that’s adorable he’s going to the same school as his girlfriend

[@ryankayombya7576]

😂😂😂

[@brianjames8677]

Old joke already. Get a younger joke, one that just graduated from dance school and is eying cheerleading.

[@HoodedAlchemy]

​@brianjames8677 you win lol

[@stanmarsh5030]

It's kind of hot, if you think about it.

[@FirstNameLastName-kt3zn]

This probably sounded clever in your head

[@17NateJohnson]

I always thought the Kraft’s were good owners: humble and willing to support their coaches. But they have crapped on BB - their most successful coach. To me, they have looked so small.

[@Ainttrippin]

I don't know much football but from what I've heard the guy was out of control. He also wanted to move on from Brady who then went on to carry another team to a SB

[@mjackson369]

@@Ainttrippin wanted to move on before the 5th and 6th SB too

[@STRLionsTalk]

I would have to assume that Belichick will have conversations with Nick Sabin regarding the college game and recruiting.

[@bcal8118]

Who cares

[@17NateJohnson]

Winning one SB is so hard. Winning consistently is insanely hard. That’s the genius of BB, and he really was the key for the first SBs.

[@NathanHardin-t8g]

Belichick is a hell of a coach, but remind me what kind of winner was he without Brady as his QB?

[@levin448]

​@@NathanHardin-t8gHe won two Superbowls as Defense coordinator for the Giants.

[@davis2k1234]

Yeah cmon winning super bowls is really hard but winning super bowls if Tom Brady is your QB not so much

[@shorewall]

Their first 3 Superbowls were not driven by Brady. And they lost twice to the Giants, where Brady didn't look so amazing. Brady is the GOAT, and BB is one of the top 5 coaches in NFL history. Plenty of great players never win 1, and we blame it on the coach. Well, BB helped Brady win enough to be the GOAT.

[@BigginsInAmerica]

@@NathanHardin-t8g Andy Reid never won a Super Bowl without Patrick Mahomes. He sucks.

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

The problem was its public knowledge that if Belicheck got his way the dynasty ends in 2014 when he originally wanted to replace Brady.

[@reedtheroom9580]

If jimmy could stay healthy (probably would never happen) the team looked just as good with him at QB when brady was suspended. Unfortunately it only lasted for 6 quarters so it means nothing, but he ran the McDaniels offense seamlessly

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

But we know now Jimmy G is both injury prone and not that good, which eventually would’ve unraveled and you get an even younger Brady going to another team, what if he wins his remaining four superbowls elsewhere? While Belicheck flames out with Jimmy G he’d have less superbowls and less claim to GOAT Coach.

[@reedtheroom9580]

@@Watchingvideoslikeu you're right I'm just playing devils advocate. As a pats fan i was caught up in the jimmy drama and i always saw where bill was coming from. He was famous for letting star players go right before they fell off a cliff and something he saw in Tom made him believe it was the right move. Just drafting Jimmy in the 2nd round motivated Tom to have that 2nd HOF career as he had already accomplished pretty much everything beforehand and it seemed like he wasn't as passionate before he realized Bill was trying to discard him like he did to so many of his teammates in the past

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

@@reedtheroom9580 I agree, but with that said I think Bill might be fantastic in college

[@davis2k1234]

I thought it was after 2017 he wanted to move on from Brady? And that would have been bad if he did it after 2017 if it was after 2014 would have been a complete disaster and the dumbest move in sports history

[@alanfulcher460]

So these owners and GM’s don’t want to let go of the reigns, even though their team sucks so bad they had to fire their head coach

[@turk3sh]

He's a bad GM, terrible drafting WRs. Wouldn't hire him either if he wanted to be a GM/Coach too

[@alanfulcher460]

@@turk3shhe’s bad at drafting wide receivers are you kidding me, that’s all you’ve got lol. He built seven title teams. What about all those pro bowl linebackers and d backs and linemen he brought in, ya dope

[@turk3sh]

@ since Brady left, How did he do? Exactly. It's a what have you done lately league. He's a horrible GM, get those rose colored glasses off your face

[@HoodedAlchemy]

​@alanfulcher460 WRs, TEs, online over drafting corners in the second round. He refused to talk to his QB or and OC last year. Refused to talk to Brady his last two years Brady had to ask teammates to talk to Bill for him because he didn't want to talk to him. There's more

[@LarryTooScary]

Exactly. Letting their ego get in the way of success.

[@JJ_5289]

"The jobs werent appealing enough" meaning nobody wanted him. Why cant he tell it like it is

[@janski1982]

Because he doesn’t want to admit it

[@Bobbleheads56]

Protecting the ego of fragile celebrities

[@JJ_5289]

@@Bobbleheads56 yeah and if belicheck was capable of putting aside his ego he would probably still be coaching in the nfl.

[@MikeydeLaraCovers]

@@JJ_5289 or… OR… one could listen to the entire last ⅔’s of the podcast explaining why they actually didn’t want him.

[@labramso]

or meaning the jobs weren't appealing enough, right?

[@jimstevenson424]

HCs don't need to recruit anymore, he can experiment with all his knowledge (he claimed that the wishbone is unstoppable if executed right), he can pull intelligent 23 yr old cast off through the portal, gets him away from Linda, maybe pulls in his sons. Blank didn't need to call Kraft about BB, because they are BFFs. It wouldn't surprise me if Blank interviewed BB just to reject him.

[@TScott-vp9zv]

What an amazing conversation!!!🙏🏾

[@bigheff517]

Bill counting byes as wins for belichecks record is so on brand

[@MikeydeLaraCovers]

This is my favorite Simmons commentary ever. 🤣

[@karimglasgow5518]

I had to rewind that. I mean, using the same logic are you also deducting wins when they lost in the divisional round after a bye?

[@charleyarrigo]

This was super interesting. Great insight and reflection

[@kylemurray3526]

Good point on the first three Super Bowls. The defenses were ranked #6, #1, and #2. They don’t win against the Rams if their defense didn’t stifle them the whole game. Nor do they win against the Steelers (when Brady got hurt). Tom Brady is arguably the best QB of all time. But to give him all the credit or most of the credit for the first three SBs is a little crazy given how good those defenses were.

[@e.b.4356]

“GIVE ME BACK MY DAUGHTER!” In angry Dad voice.

[@e.b.4356]

😮

[@pg-mr7uc]

Bears fan here-Belichick knows ours is the best vacancy. But it’s for Ben Johnson!

[@reedtheroom9580]

Not to be mean cuz i have sympathy for you guys but the bears will always suck no matter what 😂

[@pg-mr7uc]

@ if the lions can turn it around, anyone can

[@AndrewWright1998]

Except Ben Johnson definitely doesn’t wanna be going to that garbage franchise lol enjoy Kliff Kingsbury my guy

[@pg-mr7uc]

@ of course Ben Johnson will want to go to Chicago. It’s better than any other spot. Kliff will not even be a HC

[@davis2k1234]

@@AndrewWright1998As a Bears fan I’ll take Kingsbury my dream combo would be Vrabel at HC with Kingsbury at OC

[@TheCoz27]

mitch trubisky put carolina football on the map.

[@SpeedzyWGJK]

The old “dealing with kids” argument against NFL coaches doesn’t hold up like it used to. CFB for HCs used to be about recruiting and gave a leg up for traditional powers. Now the talent is spread out and it’s about scouting, fundraising/budgeting and winning close game. It’s a great fit for a good nfl mind.

[@Cactusjones88]

Can we please call it for what it is nobody in the NFL wants Bill any more. Doesn’t take away from his greatness. We have seen his body of work without Brady. His drafting over the past 5 years has been a disaster.

[@SomeChink]

Yeah it’s quite obvious His eye for talent isn’t there And the talented aren’t putting up with his crap

[@SomeChink]

the age thing is so underdiscussed for a football coach, Belichick is SO OLD look at Nick Saban, look at Mack Brown… there is almost no chance of this becoming a successful marriage

[@Litldman99]

Seth is wildly under estimating college football media and crazy ass fans that will put shit on your lawn

[@keysersoze3962]

Nobody wanted Belichick. He’s 73, has a losing record without the GOAT QB, and wants control over personnel. It’s not that complicated.

[@keysersoze3962]

@@ronmurray7349 Sure, but that was 20 years ago. Belichick is 73. The oldest coach to ever win a SB was Arians at age 68.

[@davis2k1234]

@@ronmurray7349 360Yds 3TDs vs Panthers as Bills No1 defense was being torched by Delhomme

[@chriseliopoulos9351]

BB is getting what he deserves from the NFL. Arrogant, prickly, failed to give TB12 his just due. Petty, jealous (of Brady) etc… No doubt he pays attn to details, special teams, and develops defenses. W/O Brady covering up for his mistakes and poor drafts, he’s a good coach that got lucky at quarterback

[@eliyarrows2456]

When has Bill ever not given Brady his flowers??! wtf?

[@SomeChink]

⁠@@eliyarrows2456you’re joking right? He tried to replace Brady with Jimmy G

[@ineedsaltplease620]

The bears did the offensive playcaller thing with Tresman. Bill's point about needing a culture change is right. The team needs an identity centered on a personality. Lovie was that but he was quiet.

[@kvmelfkmermv]

So basically, by badmouthing Belichick to the rest of the owners Kraft sank any chance of him getting another job.

[@Chalk89]

It's very obvious why Bill wasn't offered a HC job in the pros - GMs/Owners don't want to share the power they wield. Look throughout the NFL and you'll see an abundance of yes men and glad to be here types. I also love how often I hear, 'look at what Bill did without Tom!' No shit, lacking a star QB makes winning incredibly difficult.

[@shorewall]

For real, in every sport, we see so many bad decisions that are made just so that the lousy GM or coach can keep their job for one more year. Front Offices and Coaches make short sighted decisions all the time because they only care about keeping their job, and the product sucks as a result. Every once in a while you get a good owner, GM, Coach, roster set up, but it is so rare that it is almost random. Like Monkeys at a typewriter. No wonder the Chiefs and Patriots owned the 21st century. The buck always stops at the owner, because they have to hire and empower everyone else. And most owners are TERRIBLE! :D

[@seitostockman]

Bill went where he wanted to go and he has stability. The media would have been all over him if he didnt do well in nfl

[@keepkalm]

Lawrence Taylor went to UNC, wouldn’t be surprised if that had something to do with taking the job at this particular school.

[@TheMrJourneyer]

That plus Bill’s dad was also an assistant coach at UNC before he coached at Navy.

[@CD-gk9ix]

It’s weird how for years and years everyone said Brady was saved by defense and/or field goals. And folks act like it never happened. It did. Belichick was the defense.

[@JossParkerPopArt]

This has a very Rodney Dangerfield "Back To School" feel to it. And as a Colts fan, as good as Brady was, without Belichecks defense, they aren't winning or even getting to all those superbowls!

[@penvzila]

Who would other coaches want to coach against? Few would choose Belichik

[@bboyobsessive]

Simmons always finds a way to work Drake Maye into every football segment. He has looked good so far but might be a bit early to invest this much emotional energy into a player. Many good QBs have been ruined by bad coaching and bad O Line play.

[@SpeedzyWGJK]

ACC is wide open for UNC to level up

[@sheraldhill2728]

“The Patriot Way” is finding a Brady

[@terrygoosedowning171]

Good deal! Go Heels!

[@SnakesDDT]

equivalence of belichik and kraft mending fences would be bret hart and Vince Mcmahon

[@CarlEsquire7]

Why do people Not understand that not every damn team in the league needs a coach. There Currently 3 HC openings. And NONE of them are appealing. Jets?…hell na. Bears?…nope. Saints?…gotta be kidding me. And you already know the Cowboys will keep Mike, just like they kept that Bum Jason for far too long. UNC makes the Most Sense! He can run that program from top to bottom How He See Fit! You know how much power that is for one person? At the most Popular University in the F’n world? Michael Jordan. Jordan Brand. Nike. Carolina Blue Kicks. Enough said! Tar HEELS.

[@erickennedy8534]

BB made the Patriots, BB gave Brady the chance, which was huge risk. Kraft was like Jewelry he want take the credit, when Mac Jones failed it was the excuse to get rid of Bellicheck. People that COVID Super Bowl , really!! I"m just saying bro.

[@SpeedzyWGJK]

CFB now is perfect for Belichick… same situation as Heupel at Tennessee. Rough around the edges and not a recruiter. CEO type. I think he will have success and wish he was coming to Oklahoma instead of UNC

[@KevinJL]

Lombardi will get him players

[@Mskedu47]

They should admit no one wants Belichick

[@Joejoe-q6w]

Unc Shannon sharpe swag

[@MikeydeLaraCovers]

For the Belicheck haters, do you really believe he’s worse than Eberfluse (sp?), Antonio Pierce, Peterson, Daboll, Saleh, Canales, Thomas Brown, Zac Taylor, Stefanski,Ryans, Steichen, McDaniels, Mayo, Rizzi, or Callahan? Let’s put it this way… # of playoff wins of these coaches: 8 # of Belicheck SB wins: 6 Yeah, you’re right. He sucks. 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@MikeydeLaraCovers]

What people don’t seem to get is that super rich people do what they want and don’t want anyone to tell them they’re wrong, especially if they are. This isn’t just the NFL, it’s in the world. And the best part is they’ve convinced you they have other motives when that’s pretty much it. And the best part for them, YOU BELIEVE THEM. So, go football! 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@Joejoe-q6w]

WE WANT HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nickgriffin661]

Bill’s premature crowning of Drake Maye as a guy is just setting himself up for pain.

[@agentallstar7]

Seth Wokersham

[@bookaufman9643]

How did the Dallas Cowboys not grab Bill Beliciick. Is it going to be the same story with Mike Vrable?

[@infamouswildcat11]

Honestly, I think Bill saw Tom Brady being asked the question can Bill coach in college and Tom laughed at it saying “can you see him trying to recruit” Gronk also made funny Bill impressions…next thing you hear is Bill accepting UNC job lol

[@ROF-o3o]

If I was Mara, I'd be all over Vrabel, but considering the dumpster fire that we are now, we'll probably turn him into a Joe Judge remix. We've disrespected Coach Coughlin, Eli, OBJ, and Saquon, had a carousel of GM's who can't fix our OL for squat the last ten years, a playcaller guru in Dabes who can't call plays, and a pocket passer in Danny Dimes who can't pass in the pocket, much more get a first read aside from the Surface Tablet, brought to you by Microsoft. Utter debacle of a franchise.

[@Giantandre70]

No one says "Div 3" Bill

[@keysersoze3962]

Maye is an “awesome” QB? Hmmm. A bit premature there, Bill.

[@eliyarrows2456]

He is tho lmao. If you watch the pats he’s literally single handedly keeping them in games with an offense of receivers who can’t catch, the worst pass blocking line in the league, and an RB room with butter fingers. The other week there was a point where Maye was 10/14 passing and the 4 incompletions were drops. He’s been very fun to watch on a dog water team

[@bigheff517]

With a great chance to be a top 5 qb in the league 😂 based on absolutely nothing

[@keysersoze3962]

@@eliyarrows2456 He's a promising rookie for sure, but calling him an "awesome" NFL QB is hyperbole. Let's see what he looks like when the expectations are higher in years 2 and 3. I'm not saying he's not good, I'm saying it's premature to crown him.

[@gtilkens]

Bill’s lack of college sports knowledge is hilarious.

[@roboninja1]

It is understandable. People who are not in college caring so much is so fucking bizarre. I watch pros, not students.

[@tod3msn]

coach bill just wants to give back to college ball what it gave to him. Folks see NFL as be all and end all but at 73 what matters is no longer what mattered before because your own morality kicks in. You see a bigger picture of wanting to leave the world a better place.

[@calfowler6838]

Everyone knows he took the job to get his son the job after he leaves

[@BigginsInAmerica]

The players Belichick is recruiting won't have been born when Belichick won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2017. How does that work exactly. Dabo Sweeney isn't an elite coach, he's been terrible ever since his 2 coordinators who won a championship got hired as head coaches. He was a good recruiter but that doesn't matter in the NIL transfer portal era as much.

[@danmcdermott12]

Did Bill just try to count bye's as playoff wins? That's convenient considering they played in the worst division in football for basically 20 years until Josh Allen showed up.

[@MinisterManDan]

Belichick’s biggest strength as a coach is something completely worthless in college. All of those wonderful bespoke game plans he designs for each opponent are meaningless in college because there’s no way to get 18-22 year olds to be able to implement some unique gameplan every year. They don’t have the mental capacity for it, especially not now that teams are so reliant on one year transfers. This will fail, but Belichick and his buddies will get one last big payday on UNC’s dime

[@erickennedy8534]

Belly will win a Natty, also he coach N.C, best football player eve L.T.

[@PureBleachFilms]

It will be a disaster after year 1

[@russellbell8973]

Belichick wasn't wanted in the NFL and he / his lackeys like Lombardi are leaking a narrative that he doesn't find an NFL job attractive. He wanted the Falcons job last year which doesn't exactly have a loaded roster and no legit QB. He would take any job now if it were available; Jags, Bears, Cowboys, stop with this nonsense that this was his F U to the NFL.

[@davis2k1234]

Simmons low key Brady hater still pedaling the “1st 3 Super Bowl narrative” why were the 2000 Patriots with same team/defense 5-11 and 0-2 in 2001 before Brady took over?? 360yds 3TDs vs Panthers to single handily carry them in that Super Bowl? Lead the NFL in Pass TDs in 2002 it was Brady from Week 3 2001-WC loss in 2019

[@kylemurray3526]

You’re asking why the Patriots, in Bill’s first season as head coach in 2000, didn’t adapt right away to his coaching and it took a year for them to put it together? Is this a serious question? Brady’s one of the best if not the best to do it, but they don’t beat the Rams without the Pats’ #6 ranked defense shutting down that Juggernaut. Brady and Bill needed each other.

[@ryanjacobson2508]

​@@kylemurray3526They also needed Vinaterie being the most clutch playoff kicker of all time before Justin Tucker, not to mention the Tuck Rule. And they needed Buffalo and Miami to be mostly inept so they could count on 4 easy division games every year..... There's so much that goes into a SB winning season and especially sustained success, and some of it based on good fortune and timing.

[@davis2k1234]

@@kylemurray3526 I consider the 2001 Patriots a true team win championship and Bills gameplan vs Rams was perfect but Brady was the catalyst for it 100% the Patriots were 8-8 in 1999 Carrol got fired then 5-11 and let’s be real the 0-2 start had Bill on the hot seat his assistant coaches have said as much Brady then lead the NFL in Pass TDs in 2002 and was the best player in the NFL by that 2nd Super Bowl it’s a dumb narrative especially by Pats fan that witnessed it

[@davis2k1234]

@@kylemurray3526 Even in your comment “Brady is one of the best if not the best” he is by far the best NFL player ever and it’s not even close not some debate I have him and MJ 1A and 1B as best athletes ever in team sport history

[@Bobbleheads56]

Its ok we don’t need to keep pretending this guy is some legendary coach. The entire nfl, all 32 teams even the worst ones, said no thanks when they had the chance to hire “the greatest coach of all time”

[@SpeedzyWGJK]

The old “dealing with kids” argument against NFL coaches doesn’t hold up like it used to. CFB for HCs used to be about recruiting and gave a leg up for traditional powers. Now the talent is spread out and it’s about scouting, fundraising/budgeting and winning close game. It’s a great fit for a good nfl mind.