Brady discusses his new role at UNC, focusing on mentoring high school students aged 17 and 18 under Belichick's guidance
Tom Brady, the legendary NFL quarterback, has shared his thoughts on Bill Belichick's move to college football, as the coach takes on the head role for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Brady, who played for Belichick with the New England Patriots from 2000-19, won six Super Bowl championships under the coach's guidance. He has now won a seventh with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
In a recent podcast episode on "The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast," Brady expressed his confidence in Belichick's first foray into college coaching. However, he also acknowledged that Belichick might face a learning curve due to dealing with under-developed players compared to his previous experiences.
Brady believes that college athletes are less physically and technically developed than their NFL counterparts and have less time for film study and practice due to academic and NCAA restrictions. This, he suggests, could challenge college players to adopt pro-level habits, discipline, and a sophisticated understanding of the game, which is unusual at the college level.
Despite these challenges, Brady praises Belichick's ability to break down an opponent and his tactical prowess. He believes that Belichick will teach college players the right fundamentals and techniques, and will have high expectations for their development.
The North Carolina program, under Belichick, is being treated like a professional team. Belichick has implemented similar practice structures, training regimens, schemes, and terminology as he did in the NFL, but with some modifications for the college game. For example, he has adjusted his methods to fit the younger players’ stage of development and the shorter preparation periods in college football.
Belichick's contract with North Carolina is guaranteed for the first three years, and he has been signed to a five-year deal through the 2029 season, earning $10 million annually, with up to $3.5 million in performance incentives.
The season opener for North Carolina is scheduled for Sept. 1 at home against TCU. The players have been working in an NFL-style program to prepare for the game. Brady, who retired after the 2022 season, wishes the team the best of luck as they embark on this new journey with Belichick at the helm.
Sources: 1. Field Level Media 2. The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast
- Tom Brady, the quarterback who won seven Super Bowl championships in both the NFL and the NCAA, has expressed his confidence in Bill Belichick's ability to coach college football, despite potential learning curves.
- Although college athletes may have less physical and technical development compared to NFL players, Brady believes that Belichick's coaching style and tactics can help them adopt pro-level habits, discipline, and a sophisticated understanding of the game.
- Belichick, now the head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels, has transitioned the program into an NFL-style environment, implementing similar practice structures, training regimens, schemes, and terminology, with modifications for the college game.
- Belichick's three-year contract with North Carolina is guaranteed, and he has been signed to a five-year deal through the 2029 season, earning $10 million annually, with performance incentives potentially adding $3.5 million.
- In September 202X, the North Carolina team, under Belichick, will face TCU in the season opener, having prepared in an NFL-style program to face the challenge.
- Tom Brady, who retired after the 2022 season, has wished the North Carolina team, led by Belichick, the best of luck as they embark on this new journey in college football.
