Is Bill Belichick set to break Don Shula’s winning record?

Bill Belichick is just 15 wins away from breaking Don Shula’s all-time wins record. It was believed that the 72-year-old wanted to return to the NFL to secure the record, but a report emerged over the weekend linking Belichick to UNC.

Of course, if Belichick were to become the Tar Heels’ next coach, that would only keep him from achieving the record. But during a recent episode of the “Let’s Go!” podcast, Belichick didn’t seem too interested.

“I don’t have any set goals,” Belichick said. “I’m open to different opportunities in the future and will just evaluate them as they arise.”

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Belichick confirmed on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he has had discussions with UNC. He wouldn’t elaborate on how long the talks lasted, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported they lasted five hours.

On Tuesday, a new report surfaced that Belichick is indeed considering the UNC job, but ESPN reported that there are some key issues, including “the potential role of his son Stephen Belichick, UNC’s NIL resources, Belichick’s salary and resources for the staff”.

The reports were met with mixed reactions from those who know Belichick best. Tom Brady said emphatically on Sunday that he couldn’t see Belichick coaching at the college level because of the recruiting process. Nick Saban, meanwhile, believes Belichick would be a good fit and that recruiting isn’t as big of a process as it used to be due to NIL.

Although Belichick was left out of the 2024 coaching cycle after parting ways with the New England Patriots in January, he was expected to be back on the sidelines in 2025. And although there are already several teams in need of a new coach, Schefter told McAfee that Belichick doesn’t want to wait for something that isn’t certain.

However, Belichick — who has made a number of media appearances this season — is still open to working in the NFL.

“I am open to many thoughts. “I’ve had an interesting year this year, working in a more analytical and media role,” he said on Let’s Go! “Football, be it at the collegiate or professional level, interests me and I would also explore those options and ultimately see what each has to offer and what would best suit me and possibly another organization. Or it could be in the media.”

Belichick has never coached at the college level. But it’s clear that Belichick — an eight-time Super Bowl champion — is confident in his ability to coach football, regardless of his level.