“Bill Belichick Is “Irrelevant” Despite Undeniable Presence in the Fenway Bowl”

BOSTON – UConn and North Carolina want to keep things business-like before their Fenway Bowl matchup on Saturday.

However, it’s pretty obvious what everyone has been focused on.

UNC made a pretty big decision three weeks ago that you’ve probably heard about. Bill Belichick has been hired to become the program’s next head coach. So, as you can imagine, much of the focus has been on preparing to take the field for the final time before finally taking over.

However, UConn head coach Jim Mora claims his team paid no attention.

“We don’t try to (ignore outside noise). That’s what we do,” Mora told media members on Friday. “It’s irrelevant to us. We can’t control the emotional components of our opponents, so we don’t try. We focus on what we can control. This is our preparation. We work there. That’s the attention to detail. It’s a mindset, this is how we go out and perform, and as far as I know Coach Belichick won’t be taking the field on Saturday. That’s irrelevant to this football team.”

North Carolina interim coach Freddie Kitchens had a different take on the entire situation, although he clearly had no desire to go into details of his relationship with the man whose job he currently occupies.

“I talk to Coach (Belichick) every day,” Kitchens said. “I won’t do anything during the game or anything like that. He understands that we have a job to do here.”

Belichick has done mostly behind-the-scenes work since his opening press conference, which he enjoys. However, it will be interesting to see if he performs in Boston.

Mora says he doesn’t expect to see the eight-time Super Bowl champion on the field Saturday, but it might not be too far off.