Word came out earlier this summer that North Carolina had banned New England Patriots scouts from practice. Carolina officials — led by GM Michael Lombardi — delivered the news in Aug. one day before Patriots personnel was set to arrive. UNC has stricter guidelines for NFL access for all teams this season, but only the Pats have a straight up ban.
Belichick was asked about banning New England scouts following UNC’s win over Charlotte. He confirmed the ban, saying “it’s clear I’m not welcome around their facility, so they are not welcome around ours. It’s pretty simple.”
Belichick’s feelings were hurt by the way things ended with the Patriots after he won six Super Bowl titles with the franchise. That’s understandable to a certain extent, but the way he’s behaving right now is straight up childish. Belichick is only hurting his own players with this ban.
How will parents of potential UNC recruits or transfer portal targets feel about Belichick potentially hurting his players chances of reaching the NFL because he can’t let go of a grudge? It’s a terrible look for a 73-year-old man. Belichick has a lot of growing up to do. Maybe his Gen-Z girlfriend can find a way to sort this out over email.
Belichick has nothing to prove at North Carolina, really. He’s one of the greatest football coaches ever, and getting smoked by TCU doesn’t change that. Hurting his players future in such an immature way tarnishes his legacy far greater than the next blowout loss to me. Belichick is in his golden years, and at this point all he can really do is pass down life lessons and help out future generations. Instead, he’s acting incredibly self-absorbed and only hurting the teenagers and early 20-somethings on his team.
The end of Belichick’s legendary coaching career doesn’t have to be this disgraceful. He’s doing it to himself.
