NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick decided to use one of President Donald Trump’s famous phrases to criticize a report against his program.
At a recent press conference, Belichick was asked by a reporter if he thought his UNC program was moving in a new direction since he released a statement saying he was committed to the program despite a report that school leaders were discussing a potential buyout in the midst of its 2-5 campaign.
Belichick, whose Tar Heels narrowly lost to No. 15 Virginia over the weekend, fought back.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick leads his team during a game September 6 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
“It’s never been anything other than that,” he said, referring to his players’ efforts.
“Whatever the origin of this story is, it’s already been taken down and everything else. It’s just — as Trump would say — fake news. It’s just a novel. Look, our consistency has been there since the day Michael Lombardi and I came in and started hiring people and came into the organization in December.
“We came in the same day and we do it every day, and this is how it’s going to be.”
BILL BELICHICK ADVANCES IN PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME SELECTION PROCESS AMID UNC STRUGGLES
It’s no secret that Belichick’s inaugural season as a college coach is not going as planned. UNC has lost four straight weeks and been eliminated several times this season.
Rumors swirled earlier this month that Belichick and the school were discussing a “potential exit strategy” amid a faltering season, according to 247 Sports. Belichick has a significant $20 million buyout as part of his contract, although the report adds that an alleged rules violation could help the program eliminate or reduce the buyout.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson watch from the sidelines against TCU at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on September 1, 2025. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
However, Belichick and athletic director Bill Cunningham released separate statements saying there was no interest in leaving Chapel Hill.
“I am fully committed to UNC Football and the program we are building here,” Belichick’s statement read.
Cunningham added, “Coach Belichick has the full support of the athletic department and the university.”
There has been no shortage of reports and rumors since Belichick took the job earlier this year, but at this point he’s used to outside noise.
Bill Belichick, new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, speaks to the media at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
“I’m sure there are plenty of other people who want to get clicks and views and posts on ‘myface’ or whatever. It’s just a bunch of garbage,” he added.
The Tar Heels are scheduled to face Syracuse on the road this Friday. UNC currently has no more ranked teams on its ACC schedule for the remainder of the 2025 season.
