Legendary coach Bill Belichick, drawing interest from several NFL teams including the Las Vegas Raiders, has reportedly decided to remain with his new position at the University of North Carolina. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Belichick has 'no plans' to return to the professional football ranks and is fully dedicated to coaching and recruiting for the Tar Heels. Reports indicate that he was even active in recruiting efforts in New Jersey on Wednesday.

Belichick's last season as head coach of the New England Patriots was in 2023. He officially became the head coach at North Carolina on December 11, signing a five-year contract with the university. During his introductory press conference on December 12, Belichick asserted that his decision to join the Tar Heels was not merely a stepping stone back into the NFL, stating, 'I didn't come here to leave.' Despite this declaration, NFL teams with open coaching positions have continued to express interest in Belichick's expertise.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Tom Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders, has reached out to Belichick, emphasizing that the team’s current situation necessitates a coach of Belichick's caliber to build a lasting winning culture. Following a disappointing 4-13 season under head coach Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas parted ways with him on Tuesday. Meanwhile, it's noted that at least one additional NFL team has also inquired about Belichick's availability. His contract with North Carolina includes a $10 million buyout should he decide to leave before June 1, 2025. Although this presents a substantial financial barrier, a vacancy with an NFL organization could potentially mitigate this concern. Currently, however, Belichick appears committed to the collegiate level, taking over a North Carolina program that, while having seen some success, has yet to reach championship potential, finishing 6-7 in 2024 and resulting in the ousting of veteran coach Mack Brown. While Belichick lacks college coaching experience, he aims to leverage his extensive knowledge from the NFL in an evolving collegiate football landscape influenced by the advent of NIL agreements.