ESPN personality Paul Finebaum isn't afraid to criticize North Carolina coach Bill Belichick, that's for sure.
The 2025 season was an utter disaster for Belichick and the Tar Heels. Not only did they finish the year with a 4-8 record, there were times where they were barely competitive. The offense averaged just 19.2 points per game, which obviously isn't going to cut it in the ACC.
Before Belichick's first year in Chapel Hill even came to an end, Finebaum referred to the legendary coach as the "worst" in college football history.
“We’re talking about Bill Belichick, who is the greatest NFL coach in history. Right now he’s working toward being the worst coach in college football history. That’s how bad he is,” Finebaum said. “There’s nothing to be happy about. It’s an abject disaster. I feel bad for the guy because it seemed like a good idea at the time. Right now, who in their right mind would want to go play for him?”
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Well, Finebaum wasn't any kinder during this Friday's episode of "Get Up" on ESPN. While previewing Belichick's second season at North Carolina, the outspoken radio host suggested that he should retire.
"Ending like [Bill Belichick] is going to end is really embarrassing, and sad, and in many ways, pathetic," Finebaum said. "He only took [the UNC] job because he was bitter that he couldn't get an NFL job... He won't get fired, but he should seriously consider retirement."
Belichick is feeling optimistic.
While at ACC media days this Friday afternoon, Belichick sounded optimistic about North Carolina's outlook for the 2026 season.
"Overall as a football team, our culture, our program, our ability to operate as a team is much higher than it was a year ago," Belichick told ESPN. "And our talent level is higher."
Belichick pointed out that he had 70 newcomers for the 2025 season. That won't be the case this year, as North Carolina has 20 players from the transfer portal.
North Carolina will begin the 2026 season on Aug. 29 against TCU.
