NFL knocking, Bill Belichick busy making waves at North Carolina

New to the social media platform X, Bill Belichick's feed -- @unchapelbill -- indicates he's minding his own business and chasing quality BBQ during his first month on the job as head coach at North Carolina.

But there appears to be more to the evolving story of "Chapel Bill."

Who said recruiting wasn't going to be fun?

North Carolina Pork BBQ, Lexington Style #CarolinaFootball pic.twitter.com/ZZeb751fie

— Coach Bill Belichick (@unchapelbill) January 7, 2025

The Las Vegas Raiders, behind minority owner Tom Brady, are among multiple NFL teams that have reached out to Belichick about changing his mind and returning to the league, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

Brady, who owns a 10 percent stake in the Raiders with business partner Tom Wagner, recently spoke to his coach of 20 years with the New England Patriots about reconsidering, per the report.

However, The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Belichick was in New Jersey for multiple recruiting visits with "no plans to return to the NFL."

Belichick, 72, agreed to a five-year contract with North Carolina on Dec. 11 and has a $10 million buyout prior to June 1. He would owe the school $1 million after June 1. Belichick asserted during his introductory press conference that he "didn't come here to leave."

But he enters the college game at a time of upheaval, with the transfer portal and player name, image and licensing money changing the landscape.

There likely are college coaches now competing with Belichick for talent who would help him find his way back to the pro ranks. In today's transfer portal era, coaches can get surly about other coaches who they think are trying to snatch a recruit or a player already on a team's roster.

Since Belichick's hiring, North Carolina has brought in transfers that include defensive tackle Pryce Yates (UConn) and safety Gavin Gates (East Carolina). UConn coach Jim Mora, 63, has put out a warning to all coaches -- and that would include Belichick -- to stay away.

"A simple note to the schools and coaches that have blatantly broken @NCAAFootball rules by tampering with our players in the last 24 hours," Mora wrote on X on Dec. 30. "We do know who you are, we will pursue all avenues to hold you accountable. We are excited that we've built a program where coaches have to cheat to beat us and we will protect that program. Think hard before you tamper with our players."

Mora continued, "I'm 100 percent against grown men cheating the rules and teaching players horrible life lessons."

Back in the pro ranks, the Raiders fired Antonio Pierce on Tuesday after one season, becoming the sixth NFL team looking to fill a head coaching vacancy, including the Patriots, who fired Belichick's successor, Jerod Mayo, this week. It's unclear how many of those franchises have reached out to Belichick.

Brady and Belichick won six Super Bowls together in New England.

--Field Level Media