North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick built much of his public persona around saying as little as possible when distractions threatened to overshadow football. In his second season at UNC, however, the longtime NFL coach continues to find his program and family name surrounded by unusual off-field questions.
WRAL News reported last week that lawyers conducting an investigation into the UNC football program questioned people about allegations that defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, Bill’s son, used drugs on the job or provided drugs to at least one player. The allegations are being investigated and have not been established as findings. Steve Belichick has been on medical leave since August and has not publicly addressed the allegations.
The situation puts Bill Belichick in a difficult position. Speaking Monday at his weekly press conference, the Tar Heels head coach acknowledged the importance of the investigation while avoiding any attempt to prejudge its findings.
“I understand the importance of the work that’s being done by the investigative team,” Belichick said. “Obviously our high standard here, our code of conduct and doing things the right way and making sure that our student-athletes are given the utmost, the best treatment, the very best care, and the very best coaching that we can possibly give them. So, that’s critically important to us.”
Bill Belichick’s Comments Could Carry Added Significance
Belichick’s remarks may have sounded like the type of cautious answer expected during an ongoing investigation, but one attorney believes his words could become more significant depending on where the investigation ultimately leads.
Durham attorney Andrew Fine, who is not involved in UNC’s investigation but has experience negotiating contracts for athletes and coaches, told WRAL that Belichick’s comments could potentially be used if the university eventually sought to fire him for cause. UNC has not indicated that Belichick is currently in danger of being fired.
“It’s the kind of throwaway comment that can sometimes come back to bite you,” Fine said.
Fine specifically pointed toward Belichick’s public commitment to following the rules. Belichick’s contract requires him to promote an atmosphere of compliance and makes him responsible for the conduct of assistant coaches and other program employees, according to WRAL.
For now, those contractual details remain background rather than evidence of wrongdoing by Belichick. The larger significance will depend entirely on what UNC’s investigation ultimately finds.
Turmoil Continues Around Bill Belichick’s UNC Tenure
Belichick also was asked Monday whether university officials had requested that he change anything about how he operates the program. His response suggested he continues to have the backing of UNC leadership.
“No. I have an ongoing relationship, communication with the university, and they’ve been very supportive,” Belichick said. “A great working relationship with those people.”
Belichick made it clear that he intends to make changes if the investigation determines they are necessary.
“In the end, we want to run the program in the very best way,” Belichick said. “And if there’s things we need to do to correct it, then we’ll obviously do them.”
The investigation represents another unusual chapter in Belichick’s relatively brief tenure in Chapel Hill. Longtime confidant Michael Lombardi resigned as UNC general manager Sept. 3, but the university said its investigation would continue.
Belichick’s reluctance to go into an active investigation is understandable. What makes the situation particularly striking is that a coach long associated with keeping distractions away from football continues to find the Belichick name attached to them at North Carolina.
For now, Belichick is sticking with a familiar approach: say little and focus on football. What investigators ultimately determine will decide whether the questions surrounding his program become something considerably more significant.
Bill Belichick Comments Could ‘Come Back to Bite’ Him Amid UNC Investigation