“Have to see him on the sidelines” Kliff Kingsbury still doubts Bill Belichick will continue as UNC HC

New UNC head coach Bill Belichick has signed a five-year contract that could mean his NFL coaching career is over.

“Have to see him on the sidelines” Kliff Kingsbury still doubts Bill Belichick will continue as UNC HC

Kliff Kingsbury unsure if Bill Belichick will not be tempted by an NFL coaching job (Image via Carolina Football/X)

Bill Belichick has officially started his college football head coaching tenure with the UNC Tar Heels. That generally should mean that he is no longer interested in returning to coach in the NFL, should an offer open up. But Kliff Kingsbury, who has coached both in college and the NFL, has not bought into the idea.

When reports first came in that the 72-year-old was interviewing for the vacant position at UNC, some suggested it was a move to gain leverage. They felt Belichick was going to use that leverage to push for a potential opening in the NFL.

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However, he signed a five-year contract with the Tar Heels and was unveiled as their next head coach. In a move that cement both his future as well as that of his son Stephen, Belichick could see this out. However, Kliff Kingsbury was not so sure. When the Athletic’s Ben Standig asked for his reaction to the new UNC hiring, he said:

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I will have to see him on the sidelines to believe that’s happening. We’ll see how the NFL job search and all that, I will have to see him on the sideline coaching. I don’t see my man going to any home visits or doing like the cocktail hour after the visits.

Kliff Kingsbury said

The Washington Commanders OC has experience coaching both in the NFL and college. He also has a brief experience with NIL, but was only an observer. Based on that and the jobs in the NFL coming up this offseason, he wants to see if the eight-time Super Bowl winning coach continues to eventually coach on the sidelines in the 2025 UNC season.

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Kliff Kingsbury might have spoken what many football fans feel at the moment. Many speculate that if the right opportunity comes calling, Belichick might not balk and return to the NFL. Belichick talked about this at his introductory press conference.

New UNC head coach Bill Belichick has signed a five-year contract that could mean his NFL coaching career is over
New UNC head coach Bill Belichick has signed a five-year contract that could mean his NFL coaching career is over (Image via Imago)

I didn’t come here to leave.

Bill Belichick said at the UNC press conference

The reporter specifically asked if he would leave once he had success at the college level. But Bill Belichick‘s answer brought out a round of applause as it seemingly made it clear that he would not return to the NFL until his contract is over.

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However, there is one caveat to watch out for. 247Sports and CBS Sports college football analyst Brad Crawford pointed out that Bill Belichick’s contract has an eyebrow raising buyout structure. If he were to leave before June 1st next year, he would have to pay UNC $10 million. But that number drops to just $1 million if it was after June 1st.

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