Bill Belichick explains 'simple' decision to ban Patriots staff after notching first win as UNC coach

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/article/bill-belichick-explains-simple-decision-to-ban-patriots-staff-after-notching-first-win-as-unc-coach-040004442.html

On Saturday, Bill Belichick guided North Carolina to its first win this season, overcoming an inauspicious start to the Belichick era last week. The Tar Heels defeated Charlotte with a 20-3 win.

But, as has been the case since Belichick joined UNC as its head coach, the win was dominated more by off-field drama than on-field results. This time, it was Belichick’s reported decision to bar New England Patriots scouts from Tar Heels practice.

After Saturday’s game, Belichick was asked about the choice to deny his former team access to his current one, with the coach seemingly confirming the policy with a blunt remark.

“It’s clear that I’m not welcome around their facility, so [they’re] not welcome at ours. Pretty simple,” Belichick said, via multiple reporters.

Belichick, who spent 24 seasons as the head coach in New England before he was let go after the 2023 season, did not seem to end on good terms with the franchise or its owner, Robert Kraft. Though Kraft initially said the relationship between Belichick and the Patriots ended “amicably,” Belichick has taken some apparent shots at his former team in the year and a half since.

Now, that bad blood seems to extend to his new program as well. Members of UNC’s staff reportedly told the Patriots last month they would be banned from UNC, one day before a New England scout was set to watch an August football practice. The team has reportedly not tried to scout the Tar Heels since.

Other teams are reportedly able to scout UNC’s practices, but are restricted to watching the first three periods of practice (which includes stretching) and have no access to coaches or other personnel.

The policies do not violate NCAA rules, but do break typical customs between NFL teams and NCAA programs. Additionally, it also blocks some of the potential exposure for Belichick’s players who could potentially be NFL Draft prospects next spring.

So far, Belichick’s turn with UNC has come with more visibility than the typical college season. And so far, the 1-1 record is not quite living up to expectations: Though the Tar Heels won Saturday, they began the season with a blowout loss to TCU in front of a star-studded crowd.

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/article/bill-belichick-explains-simple-decision-to-ban-patriots-staff-after-notching-first-win-as-unc-coach-040004442.html