NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick sent shockwaves through the U.S. when he announced that he was headed for college football in December, but reportedly his deal is not yet set in stone.
The eight-time Super Bowl champion hasn't signed his contract to be the next head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels football team, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported on Thursday.
However, North Carolina general manager Michael Lombardi joined The Pat McAfee Show just after posting on social media to refute the notion that Belichick would leave.
"I was with Bill every day during the fall and we talked about every single NFL job that could open up," Lombardi told McAfee on his weekly appearance. "He shot it down every time and North Carolina is where he wants to be."
Lombardi also said he is frustrated with the narrative that Belichick could leave UNC, adding it was time for someone to "stand up for the program" as it battles for recruits.
If Belichick has not signed his deal, it adds immense pressure to the legality of the term-sheet agreement he signed on Dec. 11 and the amount of compensation UNC would receive if he were to reconsider a return to the NFL before a full contract is signed.
Jones noted that it is common among college coaches to sign a term sheet and have negotiations on the contract take more time.
But Belichick is not your average college head coach, and questions surrounding the 72-year-old’s departure have been at the forefront of discussions since he took the job.
There are six head coaching vacancies in the NFL as Belichick continues to hammer down the details of his contract while preparing for the college season.
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