Bill Belichick was used to Tom Brady’s discipline and drive, which made him the greatest quarterback in the NFL. Some college recruits don't share the same discipline that built six Super Bowls, which proved to be Belichick's biggest challenge as a first-time college coach last year. 

“I think when you step up in level of competition, whether it's from high school to college or college to pro,  you get some kids who embrace that higher level of competition. They were the best and now they’re not,” he told Colin Cowherd on July 18. 

In conversation with Cowherd, Belichick shared his take on the difference between coaching college and pro football. He shared it all ultimately depends on the players.

“And are they going to work hard enough to improve to be the best and compete with those guys? Or is the challenge?… Some guys…want to be great and know they're not very good right now, but they’ll do what they need to achieve it,” he said on an episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd. 

Belichick, 74, left the New England Patriots in 2024. In his stint with the Patriots, Belichick coached some all-time greats. 

Brady tops the chart, followed by Rob Gronkowski, Matthew Slater, Randy Moss, Julian Edelman, Richard Seymour and more. Belichick crafted rosters that won six Super Bowl championships in a twenty-year Patriots dynasty. 

Belichick transitioned to college football in 2025 and took over as the head coach for the University of North Carolina. He signed a five-year, $50 million contract, and his first season was a disaster. 

The UNC Tar Heels ended the season with a 4-8 record. Recreating his NFL success in the ACC proved to be difficult, as last season he was surrounded by controversies. 

The Tar Heels’ locker room was divided. According to Pat Welter of WRAL, insiders reported a locker room fight last October as boiling tension finally erupted. 

Reports also suggested Belichick’s recruits clashed against players from Mack Brown’s stint. Parents reported favoritism, and talks of a buyout made rounds until Belichick and ACC athletic director Bubba Cunningham released a statement to reiterate the partnership. 

As he walks into his second season with the Tar Heels, Belichick has said that they are in a different place from last year. 

Bill Belichick says Tar Heels made a significant cultural shift

Recently, Bill Belichick, with a 4-8 record in 2025, addressed reporters at the ACC Media. He shared what has changed within the team and how they are heading forward.

“Culture’s a lot different, work ethic’s different,” Belichick said on July 17 as reported by Cody Nagel for CBS Sports. “Not to take anything away from the guys that were here, but compared to a year ago, we just know a lot more about what we're doing, how to do it, and our culture’s a lot different.”

Unlike last season, this spring, transfers Miles O'Neill and Billy Edwards Jr., and true freshman Travis Burgess are competing for the starting quarterback position armed with spring reps. 

Belichick has assured that this season will be different. Will the new work ethic and culture reflect on the field is a pressing question. What are your thoughts?

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar