"4 candidates to be UNC football coach if Tar Heels don't hire Bill Belichick"

What seemed like a fantasy has suddenly become a possibility for North Carolina football.

As UNC continues its search for a football coach, Bill Belichick remains the name receiving the most attention since the Tar Heels played their last game under former coach Mack Brown.

InsideCarolina first reported that Belichick, 72, was being interviewed by UNC to become the Tar Heels’ next head coach. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, Belichick revealed that he spoke with UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts and “had some good conversations, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Before signing off after a 15-minute conversation with McAfee and former NFL linebacker AJ Hawk, Belichick said, “We’ll see” what happens with the other open position.

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It has been nearly two weeks since UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham fired the 73-year-old Brown, who was UNC’s leader for six seasons in his second stint with the program.

But if Belichick ultimately isn’t the person to replace Brown, who could UNC hire as its next head coach? Tulane’s Jon Sumrall is reportedly getting a contract extension and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell appears happy with Ames.

Here’s a look at four other coaching candidates to lead the Tar Heels.

Steve Wilks, former NFL coach

Like Belichick, Wilks is an NFL guy who built a reputation as a defensive coach. The 55-year-old Charlotte native was a volunteer coach for the Charlotte 49ers this season. A longtime NFL assistant and defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers during their Super Bowl LVII appearance, Wilks was head coach of the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals and has long been considered a strong leader. As a defensive back at Appalachian State, Wilks spent time at the collegiate level with 10 programs. He has almost 30 years of coaching experience.

Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann

Schumann, 34, just helped the Bulldogs win the SEC championship and secure the second seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff. The assistant coach, who worked under head coaches Nick Saban and Kirby Smart, is considered one of the rising stars in coaching circles. But is he interested in leaving Athens for Chapel Hill?

Jeff Monken, Army trainer

The 57-year-old Monken has established himself as one of the best coaches in the country. With a winning culture based on discipline and commitment, Monken just helped a top-25 Army team win the American Athletic Championship. The Black Knights will play Navy for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on Saturday. Is UNC willing to wait?

Freddie Kitchens, UNC interim coach

Kitchens, 50, is currently interim coach of the Tar Heels, who play UConn in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 28. The former Cleveland Browns head coach served as running game coordinator and tight ends coach with the Tar Heels for the past two seasons. Kitchens has 16 years of NFL experience, but do the Tar Heels want someone from outside the current program to lead UNC in 2025?

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