After 24 seasons as the New England Patriots’ head coach and de facto general manager, Bill Belichick is starting a new life at age 72 as the new head coach of University of North Carolina football. For nearly three decades,

Monday’s broadcast of the Rams’ 27-9 win over the Vikings was the final time Bill Belichick will appear on “ManningCast,” ESPN’s broadcast of “Monday Night Football,” hosted by Eli and Peyton Manning. And Eli took the opportunity to make a little dig at the coach he beat in two Super Bowls.

Outside of the Lombardi family, the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach has hired former Browns coach Freddie Kitchens (offensive coordinator), son Steve (defensive coordinator), former CFL coach Chris Jones (defensive assistant), Billy Miller (general position assistant) and Moses Cabrera (strength and conditioning).

Friend has coached at multiple SEC programs, and a longtime NFL special teams coordinator is also expected to join the staff.

On Wednesday, Belichick made two more additions to the staff for next season. Belichick brought in former NFL special teams coach Mike Priefer as North Carolina's new special teams coach and then hired Will Friend as the new offensive line coach, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Patriots director of skill development Joe Kim will not return for the 2025 season, according to ESPN.

The Las Vegas Raiders have reportedly reached out to former New England Patriots and current North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick to gauge his interest in their head-coaching vacancy.