New England Patriots - NESN.com
Bill Belichick seems a bit more chipper with the media these days now that he’s coaching college football. As for answering questions head-on? That’s the same as his time in the NFL.
Belichick, previously the leader of the “No Days Off” movement who was adamant that football mattered above all else, has shockingly seen himself thrust into the spotlight for, well, not really football reasons.
The legendary New England Patriots head coach’s personal life has come under increased scrutiny since a disastrous interview with CBS to promote his forthcoming book, The Art of Winning. The interview should’ve been a breeze, but was railroaded by interjections from Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
Since then, the attention the 73-year-old Belichick has been getting has been related to anything but football. But speaking to the media in Chapel Hill earlier this week, Belichick seemed relaxed as he largely sidestepped a handful of questions about his life away from the field.
“Look, I’m really focused on doing my job here at North Carolina… that’s my big focus,” Belichick said, via the New York Post. “Is there noise out there? We’ve always dealt with that.
“Really, our job is to build a football team and… help build the team and also build their individual careers. So that’s really where we’re at.”
Belichick also gave a vintage “it is what it is” when asked if the heightened attention has taken away from his time at UNC.
“Again, on some of the noise that’s out there and the book and stuff like that, it is what it is,” Belichick said. “That’s a personal venture I entered into when I wasn’t in coaching last year.”
Time will tell how much of an impact the outside noise has on Belichick and the Tarheels this season. But Belichick did laugh when asked if Hudson would be on the sidelines, insisting she doesn’t have a role in the program.
