Perhaps Bill Belichick’s Navy background will stand him in good stead as he attempts to plug some leaks within his struggling North Carolina football program.
As stories emerge describing dysfunction within the program and rumors multiply about his future with the Tar Heels, Belichick and his team are reportedly trying to find out who has the loose lips providing the critical details that expose the problems besieging the legendary coach and his struggling team.
“We continue to contact our sources about what’s happening within the Belichick program,” WRAL’s Pat Welter, who wrote an in-depth article on the subject earlier this week, tweeted Wednesday morning.
“Some are now hesitant to share new information because internally, Belichick’s team is trying to find the leak. But between @wral and national reports, the ‘leak’ is far from just a few people.”
While Belichick, 73, and the Patriots operated under stealth and ran a tight ship during his legendary run in Foxborough, it’s a much different scene playing out in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels are 2-3 and have been destroyed by programs of their level, including a 38-10 loss to struggling Clemson in their last game, and all the preseason buzz has stopped.
A report emerged from WRAL earlier this week in which the parent of a current player alleged that Belichick allowed a “toxic environment” to engulf the program.
The story highlighted the division of the locker rooms, the lack of communication and a coaching staff in disarray.
“It all starts at the top and the boys are affected,” the parent said.
“I don’t blame the players; I blame the management who created this toxic environment. There is an individualistic mindset. The boys are young and they feed off that.”
North Carolina later suspended cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins over allegations of extra benefits, including giving sideline passes to a player’s family members for one game, according to The Athletic.
That bad negativity then took another bad turn for Belichick when a report from 247 Sports came out Wednesday that North Carolina had held “discussions about a potential exit strategy.”
Another report says Belichick has discussed his buyout with the school — he’d owe $1 million if he leaves, while UNC will have to pay $20 million if they fire him — and that he’s open to landing with another team or taking on a media gig.
Reporter Ollie Connolly pointed out serious potential recruiting violations and that members of Belichick’s staff have already spoken with other programs.
“The rats are jumping ship,” a trainer told him.
The buzz has reached such a level that Belichick and the school released statements Wednesday night essentially saying — like Kevin Bacon as Chip Diller in “Animal House” — that everything is fine.
“I am fully committed to UNC Football and the program we are building there,” Belichick said.
UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham wrote, “Coach Belichick has the full support of the athletic department and the university. »
These statements won’t stop the talk about whether Belichick could be a one-and-done coach in Chapel Hill, and will certainly make the Tar Heels’ next game on Oct. 17 against California that much more interesting.
Before that, though, it appears Belichick — perhaps with the help of his girlfriend Jordon Hudson — will be doing some repair work.
