FOXBORO — Bill Belichick will reportedly become the next head football coach at the University of North Carolina.
One of the program’s most famous alumni is excited by the possibility.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye addressed Belichick’s reported move to the college ranks Wednesday. Maye, 22, started for two seasons at North Carolina before the Patriots selected him with the third overall pick in last April’s NFL Draft.
“Obviously a legendary coach, the success he had here, and what a great place Chapel Hill is. So, any time you have a legendary NFL coach going back to college I think it’s cool,” Maye said during his weekly press conference. “It’s pretty interesting for me.”
Belichick’s hire was first reported Wednesday by Inside Carolina, an outlet that covers North Carolina athletics and recruiting for the college sports site On3. The 72-year-old coach had extensive conversations with school leadership over the past week, including an initial discussion on Thursday and subsequent interviews in New York and the Boston area, according to reports.
Belichick has also required an unprecedented financial investment from the school to boost its program, which went 6-6 this year and is regarded as a mid-tier program in major college football. Current and former Patriots players reacted to Belichick recruiting high school prospects and coaching college players in the era of pay-for-play earlier this week.
Pats cornerback Jonathan Jones cracked Belichick that might respond: “‘You want more NIL money? Worry about your history grade.'”
Tom Brady said over the weekend: “There’s a lot of things he can do, and obviously he’s tremendous, and even showing his personality. But getting out there on the recruiting trail and dealing with all these college kids with NIL? Could you imagine him recruiting?”
Maye’s comments came before Belichick’s hire was reported Wednesday. He said he has not spoken with any ex-teammates about welcoming the greatest coach of all time on campus.
“Most of the guys in my class they’ll be gone; they’re seniors. So I (have) no real rapport with the young guys, but I’m sure they’ll be excited,” Maye said. “And I think coach Belichick, a defensive mind, I’m sure he’ll get that defense rolling,. And it’s a fun spot. I think it’s a great spot, great coaching job, can’t blame him. It’s an awesome place.”