Perhaps Bill Belichick’s Navy background will serve him well while he tries to plug some leaks within his embattled North Carolina football program.
As stories have emerged describing dysfunction within the program and rumors ran rampant about his future with the Tar Heels, Belichick and his staff reportedly are trying to find out whose loose lips are providing the critical details that are exposing the problem’s besieging the legendary coach and his struggling team.
“Continuing to reach out to sources about what’s going on inside the Belichick program,” WRAL’s Pat Welter, who wrote a deep dive on the topic earlier this week, tweeted Wednesday morning.
“Some now are feeling reluctant to share new information as internally the Belichick staff is trying to find the leak. But between @wral and national reports the ‘leak’ is far from a few people.”
While Belichick, 73, and the Patriots operated in stealth and ran a tight ship during his legendary run in Foxborough, it’s a much different scene unfolding in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels are 2-3 and have been destroyed by programs on their level, including a 38-10 beatdown by struggling Clemson in their last game, and all the preseason buzz has ceased.
A report emerged from WRAL earlier this week in which the parent of a current player alleged that Belichick has allowed a “toxic environment” to engulf the program.
The story pointed to locker room division, lack of communication and a coaching staff in disarray.
“It’s all starting at the top, and the boys are being affected,” the parent said.
“I don’t fault the players; I fault the leadership that created this toxic environment. There’s an individualistic mindset. The boys are young, and they are feeding into it.”
North Carolina then suspended cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins in relation to allegations of extra benefits that includes giving a player’s family members sidelines passes for one game, per The Athletic.
This bad negativity then took another poor turn for Belichick when a 247 Sports report emerged Wednesday that North Carolina held “potential exit strategy discussions.”
Another report said Belichick has discussed his buyout with the school — he would owe $1 million, while UNC is on the hook for $20 million — and he’s open to landing with another team or taking a media gig.
Reporter Ollie Connolly noted potential serious recruiting violations and that members of Belichick’s staff have already talked with other programs.
“The rats are leaving the ship,” one coach told him.
The buzz hit such a level that both Belichick and the school released statements Wednesday night essentially claiming — like Kevin Bacon as Chip Diller in “Animal House” — that all is well.
“I’m fully committed to UNC Football and the program we’re building there,” Belichick said.
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham wrote: “Coach Belichick has the full support of the Department of Athletics and University.”
Those statements won’t stop the talk about whether Belichick could be a one-and-done coach in Chapel Hill, and certainly makes the Tar Heels’ next game on Oct. 17 against California all the more interesting.
Before then, though, it seems Belichick — and maybe with some help from girlfriend Jordon Hudson — will be doing some repair work.