UNC Players Reject Popular Sentiment Surrounding Bill Belichick Hire

BOSTON — North Carolina has one last game to be played this season, but all the hoopla surrounding their appearance in the Fenway Bowl has little to do with what is expected to happen on the field.

It’s Bill Belichick’s world, and we’re all just living in it.

Belichick was officially hired a few weeks ago, but he isn’t expected to take over in an on-field role until after the Fenway Bowl. Tar Heels interim head coach Freddie Kitchens will keep the seat warm until then and has been the face of their pre-bowl activities like visiting Boston, getting familiar with Fenway Park and meeting with the media on Friday.

North Carolina’s leadership group — wide receiver J.J. Jones, defensive back Alijah Huzzie, tight end John Copenhaver and linebacker Amare Campbell — didn’t want to use all of that time without paying their respects to the man who brought them all to Chapel Hill, N.C. — Mack Brown.

“It’s going to be somewhat of a new era, but at the end of the day, I don’t think any of us would be here without Coach Brown,” Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones said. “It’s about the things he’s done for the program, and I know he’s helped me a lot personally. He took the job and his goal was to get UNC back on that stage, and I think he did that job to perfection. Without him, none of us would be here. He’s the reason we’re all here.

Brown, 73, spent the last six seasons heading up the program, which included six straight bowl appearances. Jones, Huzzie, Copenhaver and Campbell all arrived under his tutelage, with only Campbell continuing to play under Belichick.

“Coach Brown did a lot of good things for the University of North Carolina… but really, this game is more about the guys who are never going to wear a North Carolina uniform again,” Kitchens said. “It’s about making sure these guys go out with the best feeling possible about the program because they left the program in a better spot than when they first got here.

“These guys have won a lot of football games for North Carolina, and for them to have a part in the new beginning is special. We have a game tomorrow to send these guys out on the right path.”

Belichick has already made quite a difference since taking over, as Campbell was one of several starters to withdraw his name from the transfer portal after the hiring was made official. UNC also secured a commitment from in-state quarterback Bryce Baker, who is expected to compete for the starting job immediately.

The Tar Heels felt it was important to pay respect to someone who has transformed the program on numerous occasions, but there’s little argument that Belichick won’t be a better choice to help elevate it to the next level.