'Epic bag fumble in Chapel Hill': The coaches UNC could've hired over Bill Belichick will make Heels fans sick
A look back at the 2024 UNC coaching search, that included Jon Sumrall, Bob Chesney and several others.
In Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina's struggles with head coach Bill Belichick have led fans to question why they did not hire coaches who could have made them proud. Belichick's first season in Chapel Hill saw the Tar Heels finish 4-8, their worst record since 2018. Following an internal investigation that included Belichick's son and general manager Michael Lombardi, the team parted ways with Lombardi.
Belichick's son also resigned after being placed on medical leave at the beginning of the season. UNC fans are now left to compare Belichick's record to that of other potential hires who were not given the opportunity. First-year head coach Jon Sumrall at Florida and UCLA's Bob Chesney have both achieved great success in their first years, despite not being considered for the UNC job.
Sumrall had a 9-4 record at Tulane, while Chesney boasts a 64-13 record at James Madison. These coaches were all on UNC's original list of potential replacements, but Belichick ultimately won out due to a separate coaching search headed by the board of trustees, which prioritized his expertise and the school's academic reputation.
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