Bill Belichick's Career Change From the NFL, to College Football… and then TV?

Bill Belichick has officially traded the NFL for a new challenge in the college ranks, and possibly the world of streaming television. Months after taking the head coaching job at the University of North Carolina, the eight-time Super Bowl champion is set to become the focus of a Hulu documentary series that will follow his first season with the Tar Heels.

The move marks a dramatic shift for one of the most decorated coaches in football history. After two decades at the helm of the New England Patriots, Belichick is now leading a rebuilding programme in Chapel Hill while cameras prepare to document his journey.

From NFL Legend to UNC Leader

After parting ways with the Patriots in early 2024, Belichick was announced as North Carolina's head coach in December that year. At 73, he's now coaching at the collegiate level for the first time in his storied career. The hire came after UNC suffered sub-par back-to-back underwhelming coaching tenures, and has already sparked excitement around the programme.

Speaking at the ACC Kickoff event, Belichick said, 'I've always wanted to coach in college – and I'm glad to have the opportunity to be at a great school like Carolina'. He added that he is focused on developing players, praising their effort and commitment in the early months of training.

His arrival has generated historic levels of support. According to WRAL, UNC has sold out every home game this season for the first time in programme history. ESPN will also broadcast their season opener against TCU with a full pre-game show and its top college football team.

Hulu Steps In After HBO Exit

Belichick's college football debut has caught the attention of streaming executives. A new docuseries from Hulu is now in early-stage production, with sources indicating that Disney-owned EverWonder Studios is handling the project.

The series comes after a planned offseason feature on HBO's 'Hard Knocks' fell through. According to reports, creative differences, including issues linked to Belichick's girlfriend Jordon Hudson, contributed to the breakdown.

Hudson has since registered trademarks including 'Chapel Bill (Bill's Version)' and 'Do Your Job: (Bill's Version)', suggesting possible titles for the new series.

Belichick has yet to comment publicly on the Hulu project. However, his presence in Chapel Hill has already reshaped the programme's visibility. Several former Patriots players and coaches, including Nick Saban and Tedy Bruschi, are expected to feature in ESPN's coverage of UNC's opening match.

Media Attention and Personal Life

While Belichick's coaching credentials are widely recognised, his personal life has drawn increasing attention since his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson became public. A CBS interview interruption by Hudson earlier this year sparked a media frenzy, but players and staff at UNC insist that it has had no impact on the team.

'There was never a problem, like people saying she was running practice. We'd never really see her in the building', said wide receiver Jordan Shipp.

Quarterback Gio Lopez added, 'He's a normal guy, a normal coach. That's how he carries himself. He just does his job'.

Belichick himself downplayed the outside noise, saying, 'Sometimes it's noisy, and sometimes it isn't. Sometimes with the Patriots it was noisy, too'.

Building a Legacy at Chapel Hill

Despite his impressive NFL past, including six Super Bowl wins with New England, Belichick now faces a new type of challenge. The college game brings recruiting, student-athlete development and the pressures of building a new legacy.

In a recent ESPN interview, Belichick reflected on past decisions and the obstacles he faced when joining the Patriots in 2000, saying, 'I took a big risk by taking the New England Patriots head coaching job'. Now, some could say he's taking another.

With his new role at UNC, a documentary in development and national media attention mounting, Belichick's next chapter is already turning heads.

For now, all eyes are on September 1, when North Carolina takes the field against TCU at Kenan Stadium. Whether on the sideline or the small screen, Bill Belichick is not done making headlines.