In case you were still having trouble believing that this is reality, the introductory press conference made it official:
Bill Belichick is the new head football coach of the UNC football program.
Belichick, wearing a stylish argyle tie, spoke to the media for approximately 45 minutes on Thursday afternoon in Chapel Hill, officially marking the beginning of his tenure with the program.
Before he even spoke to the media, Lee Roberts and Bubba Cunningham addressed the people in attendance, discussing what a great day it is for the University of North Carolina as a whole. They presented Belichick with a welcoming gift, a hooded sweatshirt (which appropriately had the sleeves cut off.
While this was a classic moment, Cunningham found a way to top it, switching into a suit jacket that had the sleeves cut off to emulate his new head coach.
North Carolina Athletic Director put on a sleeveless jacket for Bill Belichick 🤣 pic.twitter.com/VwN5ST10ZH
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 12, 2024
A touching moment followed, as Belichick revealed a sweatshirt he brought on his own. This one has special meaning to him, given it was one his dad used to wear when he coached at North Carolina from 1953-1955.
Bill Belichick brought his dad's UNC sweatshirt to his press conference.
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) December 12, 2024
His father coached at Carolina from 1953-55. pic.twitter.com/QCGXaAs0GS
Here are some of the best quotes from Belichick during his introductory press conference:
On wanting to coach in college football
"I've always wanted to coach in college football, and it just never really worked out. I had some good years in the NFL, so that was OK. But this is really a dream come true."
On why he wants to continue coaching at his age
"My dad taught me that when you love what you do, it isn't working. I love what I do. I love coaching."
Bill Belichick's first words were... BEAT DUKE!
"Billy's first words were: BEAT DUKE!"
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) December 12, 2024
Bill Belichick said his father loved to tell this story when he was growing up 😂 pic.twitter.com/VkyJcQi2lc
Regarding the rumored 400-page "Bible"
"I don't have a 400-page document. I mean... and to think I would just go and hand it (off). Come on."
His stance on developing younger players
"Tom Brady was a 4th string QB his rookie year ... [Rob] Gronkowski didn't do too much his rookie year ... [Julian] Edelman played QB in college ... developing players is something we believe strongly in"
If he plans to leave for the NFL if he has success at UNC
"I didn't come here to leave."
On the goals he has for the program
"There's a lot of pride here in this program and I want to do everything I can to take it [to the next level]'
His thoughts on North Carolina
"North Carolina is a national university. This is the best public university in the country."
On this new journey
"This is a dream come true. ... It's great to come back home to Carolina."