The statements released Wednesday night by Bill Belichick and North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham aren’t convincing many that all is well in Chapel Hill.
The pair put out terse statements as rumors swirl about the university already exploring a possible “exit strategy” just five games into Belichick’s tenure, as the 73-year-old coach, whose 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson has been spotted on the sidelines multiple times this season, is off to a disappointing 2-3 start.
Count ESPN’s Paul Finebaum among those who believe Belichick’s time in the college ranks is nearing its end.
“I felt those statements were completely and totally bogus,” Finebaum said during “Get Up” on Thursday. “If you’re going to make a declarative statement, make it, don’t just issue a meaningless piece of paper, which is what Belichick did. It feels to me like it is over. I think his behavior is indicative of that. Not to make too much out of it, but he basically took a week off during the bye week, and he’s entitled to have his own private life, we’ve said that repeatedly here, but I’ve never heard of a coach in big-time college football to do something like that.
“To me, he has checked out,” Finebaum added. “The play on the field has checked out. His coaching has been abysmal. And I think Bill Belichick would be wise to walk out now before the humiliation gets any worse.”
Finebaum was referencing Belichick’s trip to Nantucket with Hudson during UNC’s bye week between blowout losses to UCF and Clemson, who won on the road, 38-10, last Saturday.
Finebaum has been having a field day crushing Belichick this week.
During Tuesday’s episode of “First Take,” the commentator said Belichick was on his way to becoming “the worst coach in college football history,” calling the UNC experiment an “abject disaster.”
A report from Ollie Connolly stated the coach “has discussed buyout options with North Carolina’s hierarchy” and he “has signalled a willingness to trigger his own $1 million buyout if he can find a soft landing with another team or in media.”
If UNC fires Belichick, the school would owe him $20 million.
Multiple reports have said UNC has committed rules violations under Belichick.
Cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins was suspended this week for allegedly giving extra benefits to players, like sideline passes to family members.
One parent of a UNC player told WRAL that Belichick has created a “toxic environment.”