As the Giants begin their search for a new head coach, Bill Belichick has taken his name out of consideration.
The second-winningest coach in NFL history and current University of North Carolina head coach, delivered a statement to the media that he will not pursue any coaching vacancies.
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“I have great respect and genuinely care for the New York Giants organization and both the Mara and Tisch families,” Belichick wrote. “The New York Giants played an important role in my life and in my coaching journey. It was a privilege for me to work for the Mara family and be a member of Coach Parcells’ staff for over a decade. However, despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.
“Since arriving in Chapel Hill, my commitment to the UNC Football program has not waivered [sic]. We have tremendous support from the university, our alumni, and the entire Carolina community. My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players, and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud.
“We’re on to Wake Forest.”
The statement comes after a tumultuous first season as the head of the Tar Heels football program. Reports have swirled that Belichick has looked for a way out of UNC, especially the way the team started. When the Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll this week, many connected the dots between Belichick and his former team.
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Belichick’s connection to the Giants is well-documented. He started with the Giants in 1979 as a defensive assistant and special teams coach, then was promoted to defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells in 1985. Belichick spent 12 seasons in total with the Giants before becoming the head coach of the Browns from 1991-95. He made stops in New England as an assistant, the Jets and the Patriots again, this time as a head coach, where he won five Super Bowls.
However, that professional success has not followed Belichick to the college ranks, at least not yet.
Through nine games, UNC has a 4-5 record, including a 2-3 record in the ACC. The Tar Heels are in the midst of a two-game winning streak, defeating Syracuse 27-10 and Stanford 20-15. There are three more games remaining on their regular season slate (Wake Forest, Duke, NC State).
As for the Giants, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Current Giants GM Joe Schoen will head up the search for the team’s next head coach.
