New England Patriots - NESN.com
Bill Belichick will make his highly anticipated return to the sideline on Monday night, beginning his shift to college football when North Carolina hosts TCU.
The arrival of the New England Patriots legend has sparked considerable excitement in Chapel Hill. Belichick’s debut will reportedly draw multiple sports stars to Kenan Stadium.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel said the expected guest list includes famous UNC alumni Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm, Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is also among the big names who will watch the Week 1 showdown in person.
Belichick said during his introductory press conference that he spoke to Jordan, Taylor and Peppers before making the surprising move to North Carolina.
“There’s been a ton of support from ex-players and other UNC alums,” Belichick said in December. “This is a great brand and a great support system here, so I’m excited to spend more time with these people.”
Jordan’s six NBA titles match the Super Bowl trophies Belichick collected with the Patriots. The coach won another Lombardi Trophy as the defensive coordinator of a New York Giants squad led by Taylor, whom Belichick labeled the “greatest defensive player in NFL history” on a “ManningCast” appearance last year.
Belichick luckily didn’t have to deal with Peppers too much in the NFL, as the defensive lineman spent his entire Hall of Fame career in the NFC. Hamm led the Tar Heels to four national championships before the soccer icon steered the United States to two Olympic gold medals and two World Cup wins.
North Carolina has one of the nation’s most prestigious athletic programs, but football has taken a back seat recently. The Tar Heels went 6-7 last season and haven’t won a bowl game in five years.
Belichick’s presence has nevertheless lifted UNC football back to national prominence, as ESPN is televising Monday’s game between two unranked opponents at 8 p.m. ET.
