Bill Belichick has decided not to return to Massachusetts with his new UNC team on Saturday.
The Tar Heels meet UConn in the Fenway Bowl – their final game before the legendary NFL coach officially takes over for the 2025 season.
The game will played at the iconic Fenway Park, home of baseball’s Boston Red Sox and practically in the backyard of where Belichick coached the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins.
Despite the possible fanfare of a Belichick return to New England, the 72-year-old has been absent from practice and media activities before the game.
That’s because, according to ESPN, he doesn’t want to be a distraction for his players.
UNC’s athletic director Bubba Cunningham said: ‘He’s totally dialed into building the roster. He didn’t want to go to practice or be a distraction to the kids or the coaches for the bowl game.
Bill Belichick has decided not to return to Massachusetts with his new UNC team on Saturday
The Tar Heels meet UConn in the Fenway Bowl – their final game before Belichick takes over
‘It’s been great. He and Mike Lombardi have locked themselves in a room and really spent all the time since he’s been announced, building the roster for this spring and next year.’
Since the departure of coach Mack Brown, Freddie Kitchens, who will remain with the program on Belichick’s staff, has overseen the North Carolina team. Belichick and Kitchens are in regular communication.
Kitchens is finishing his second season as North Carolina’s run game coordinator and tight ends coach.
He is part of a group of assistants coordinating the offense for the bowl as 2024 coordinator Chip Lindsey departed for Michigan earlier this month.
