Bill Belichick to North Carolina: Lawrence Taylor, Mike McCarthy, football world react to stunning decision

The news of Bill Belichick reportedly becoming the new head coach at North Carolina rather than pursuing one of the NFL coaching openings has shaken the sports world.

Belichick going to Chapel Hill, on an announced five-year deal, is surprising for a variety of reasons. The presumption was that the six-time Super Bowl winner (with two titles as an assistant) would stay in the familiar territory of the NFL. At 72 years old, Belichick is also older than what would be expected at a program like UNC, which could take a few years to lift toward College Football Playoff contention.

Yet in looking at all the attention this decision is garnering, it’s apparent why North Carolina would take the risk of hiring someone who’s never coached in college before and seemingly unfamiliar with the grind of recruiting players that’s necessary for success.

Someone who would arguably be an authority on Belichick and North Carolina is former NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Taylor was an All-American at UNC and played under Belichick during most of his Hall of Fame career with the New York Giants.

“UNC stock has just gone up!!!” Taylor texted to longtime NFL reporter Gary Myers. Apparently, Taylor was one of the people Belichick consulted while deciding whether to take the job.

Naturally, such an unconventional hire led to jokes, such as Belichick resembling UNC’s grouchy Tar Heel logo.

Changing Chapel Hill’s name to “Chapel Bill” was also a popular reaction.

Many observers pondered why exactly Belichick would choose to likely end his career in college, which may or may not affect his legacy. For instance, he is now very unlikely to overtake Don Shula for most wins by an NFL head coach, something which was presumably important to him.

Several pointed out that just coaching football is most important to Belichick, rather than analyzing it or providing commentary in the media. Author David Halberstam noted this in his 2005 book on Belichick, “The Education of a Coach.”

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy reinforced the “coaches want to coach” sentiment, and had high praise for both UNC and Belichick (who many thought might replace McCarthy).

Belichick reportedly visited several college coaches during his year away from the sideline to learn. He’s consulted college coaches throughout his career, including former Alabama coach Nick Saban, former Ohio State and Florida coach Urban Meyer and current Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is among those who asked if some of those coaches would have been as forthcoming if they knew Belichick was migrating to the college game.

Another angle on the legacy question is that Belichick may see coaching at North Carolina as bringing the coaching history of his family full circle.

Belichick’s father, Steve, coached running backs at UNC from 1953-55. If, as expected, Belichick adds his son Stephen, currently the defensive coordinator at Washington, to his staff, the limbs of his family tree at the school could stretch out further.

Others wondered if Belichick might get the band back together in Chapel Hill and hire several of his former assistants — including Charlie Weis and Joe Judge — and players for his staff.

Prior to Belichick’s hiring becoming official, current Patriots quarterback and former UNC alum Drake Maye thought the coach and school were a great match.

“A legendary coach, with the success he had here,” Maye said. “What a great place Chapel Hill is… I think coach will love Chapel Hill.”

Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne, who played three seasons for Belichick, shared some advice on what the Tar Heels’ student-athletes should expect from a “tough coach.”

“Stay tough,” Bourne told reporters on Wednesday. “Have a gritty mindset because it’s not gonna be easy.”

“Just don’t miss class,” he added.