Bill Belichick gets subtly trolled by ESPN analyst over concerns of his ability to recruit young athletes
Many analysts feel Bill Belichick has proven in many ways that he can work with young athletes as he takes the head coaching position at UNC.
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Bill Belichick dating 24-year-old Jordon Hudson is proof he can connect with the 'youngins' (Image via Open Source/X)
Bill Belichick and UNC are finalizing the details of his next career path as the head coach of the Tar Heels football program. Even though it is set to happen, many and analysts have questioned the 72-year-old’s ability to connect with young players, which he will see plenty of in the next few years.
Even his former players Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman trolled about it on last weekend’s FOX Bros. They joked that his upfront style may not be what young recruits could handle. Especially when he prefers to talk to them directly instead of having parents and agents around.
This has become the new norm in college recruiting, as NIL takes center stage in all discussions. Many athletes have prioritized potential earnings over the program success, making Belichick and his old school ways look outdated. However, ESPN analyst Kimberley Martin felt otherwise.
Belichick has proven he can recruit the youngins. I’m just saying. He’s proven it.
Kimberly Martin said on Get Up
The analyst mentioned this in reference to Belichick dating a 24-year-old Jordon Hudson. Martin suggesting the 72-year-old coach could get a girlfriend nearly half a century younger than him is proof enough that he can connect with ‘youngins’.
ESPN's Kimberley Martin just ROASTED Bill Belichick on live TV:
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 11, 2024
“Belichick has proven he can recruit the youngins.”
???pic.twitter.com/dSIG4upDJJ
Her statement left the rest of the panel of Get Up shocked, but she might have a point. Bill Belichick might have had his run ins with a young Mac Jones, but the new UNC head coach knows he has to tweak his approach if he wants to succeed in college.
Stephen A. Smith feels Bill Belichick has turned his reputation around
On ESPN’s next show of the day, First Take, Kimberley Martin was there to discuss the Belichick topic again. But this time, she spoke more about his lack of NFL opportunities on the basis of his hard-nosed style, which might have left NFL teams not wanting to take the risk. Stephen A. Smith butted in to say this.
Props to Pat McAfee and their show having Bill Belichick on. I think Bill Belichick has actually made himself a likable figure with a lot of the interviews that he has done.
Stephen A. Smith said on First Take
The analyst believes Belichick’s appearances on The Pat McAfee Show and Manning Cast has helped to show his actual personality. In that process, Smith believes the eight-time Super Bowl winning coach might have helped himself.
Stephen A. Smith: "Far be it for me to say this, but I'm gonna say it anyway: Props to Pat McAfee and their show having Bill Belichick on. I think Bill Belichick has actually made himself a likable figure with a lot of the interviews that he has done." pic.twitter.com/dvmJhifbnw
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 11, 2024
Stephen A. Smith believes even if Bill Belichick is the UNC HC, the chances of NFL teams calling him for a potential job are higher this year. With the likes of Mike McCarthy, Doug Pederson and a couple of other head coaches on the hot seat, Belichick might have more options than last year.
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Joseph Varghese
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