The North Carolina Tar Heels football program has yet to play a game under new head coach Bill Belichick but that hasn’t stopped media personalities like Colin Cowherd from jumping on the bandwagon.
On a recent segment of The Herd, Cowherd broke down why he was skeptical of Belichick’s fit as a college coach and predicted his overall record in his first year on the sidelines.
UNC Football Could Reach Double-Digit Wins Under Belichick In Year 1
While he admitted that Belichick is one of the smartest schematic coaches of all-time, Cowherd believed that energy and recruiting were more important qualities in college football than in the NFL. He went on to name several coaches that had success in college, including Pete Carroll, Jim Harbaugh, and Nick Saban while legendary NFL head coach Bill Walsh struggled in his final two years at Stanford on his way to a 7-14-1 record.
“I do think what saves Bill is the ACC. If you look at their schedule, outside of the Clemson game, they can match up with anybody. There are just W’s everywhere in this thing,” Cowherd said.
Cowherd appeared to imply that North Carolina could end up with double-digit wins in 2025 to the tune of an 11-1 or even 10-2 overall record, both of which might be good enough to warrant consideration for the College Football Playoffs.
UNC football has a soft schedule, but could earn a trip to the ACC Championship Game, where they would likely play Clemson a second time for an automatic berth into the playoffs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC7xbHJXQYE&ab_channel=TheHerdwithColinCowherd
Cowherd Supports Belichick and Hudson’s Relationship For Surprising Reason
On the show, Cowherd also explained why he’s been supportive of Belichick and Jordon Hudson’s relationship.
“Carolina is basketball school. Colorado is a nothing school. Social currency, attention is your stock market,” Cowherd explained. “I think North Carolina and Belichick, I’ve got them as my third story tonight. I don’t have the Carolina basketball program as my third story.”
“So for some schools, like Colorado and Carolina, selling out the stadium, getting on television, raising NIL money, trumps getting in the playoffs.”
Belichick and Jordon Hudson recently took their relationship to the next level, reportedly getting engaged earlier this year. Their relationship has come under intense media scrutiny, routinely making national headlines over the past few months.
Will Belichick and UNC Football Live Up To Lofty Expectations?
Though North Carolina is known as a basketball school, the football program has been steadily improving over the past decade and even produced a first-round pick in quarterback Drake Maye, who ironically was drafted to the New England Patriots, Belichick’s former team.
The hiring of a six-time Super Bowl champion has brought instant credibility, national buzz, and a flood of expectations to Chapel Hill.
In fact, the Tar Heels have already sold out season tickets for the year despite the regular season still three months away, according to UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. Ticket prices have increased by 25% this season with almost zero pushback from fans, who are undoubtedly excited for what could be one of the most successful eras in program history.
With a favorable schedule, increased national attention, and a roster full of top transfers, the foundation is in place for UNC football to take a major leap forward in Year 1.
