Bill Belichick’s former star questions Patriots legend’s ability to translate to college

Rodney Harrison, who played under Bill Belichick between 2003-08 with the New England Patriots, placed doubts on the coach's potential transition to college football.

According to Inside Carolina, Belichick was interviewed to fill the vacant head coaching position at the University of North Carolina. The Tar Heels are seeking a replacement following Mack Brown's dismissal. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer and Pat Forde reported that the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach "definitely wants to coach again in 2025 after sitting out this season."

If Belichick gets the job at UNC, the 72-year-old would step in without any previous collegiate coaching experience.

"Yeah. And the thing about it, the first thing that came to my mind was when I when I read this, I said, okay, coach is a teacher, he's a coach," Harrison said Thursday on Pro Football Talk. "He wants to focus on the fundamentals.

"And then I started thinking like, okay, will he have the patience to get on a plane, go to these kids house, sit in their living room and try and basically beg them to come to the University of North Carolina? I wouldn't say Coach Belichick has that level of patience, but he does have the level of patience to coach these guys to make sure that they, you know, they understand the fundamentals and to build a team."

Nick Saban weighs in on Bill Belichick's move

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Nick Saban offered a contrasting view on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, expressing confidence in Bill Belichick's potential.

"Bill's an outstanding coach. He's very well organized. He's a good teacher. I think he relates well with the players," Saban said.

He suggested that modern college football's increasing professionalization — with players being compensated — makes the transition potentially easier.

Saban pointed out a crucial shift in college recruiting.

"Relationship building is not as important now that you pay players," Saban added. "I think it becomes a little bit more about the money and the deal that you make with them. So, it is a little bit more like pro football. I think Bill knows how to manage that, and would do a good job."

After leading the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl championships, Bill Belichick finds himself at a career crossroads.