Bubba Cunningham wasn't going to let Bill Belichick steal all the headlines.
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UNC's athletic director pulled out all the stops during Thursday's press conference introducing Belichick as the Tar Heels' new head coach. And in true Belichick fashion, Cunningham made sure the moment wasn't without some signature flair.
As Belichick took the stage alongside Cunningham and university chancellor Lee H. Roberts, Cunningham paused for a quick wardrobe change. Out came a suit jacket—with the sleeves cut off. Yep, a nod to Belichick's iconic sideline look: the sleeveless hoodie.
"I figured if Bill's gonna bring a new style to Chapel Hill, I might as well get on board," Cunningham joked. The room ate it up.
UNC AD Bubba Cunningham brought out the sleeveless suit in honor of Bill Belichick 😅 pic.twitter.com/t8GM2w3BOm
— ESPN (@espn) December 12, 2024
Belichick, as usual, didn't let the moment derail his usual businesslike demeanor. The six-time Super Bowl champ instead focused on addressing what's already the biggest question surrounding his surprising new role: How long will he stick around?
"I came here to build something," Belichick said. "Not to leave after a season or two. My focus is entirely on this program and these players."
The move still has the sports world buzzing. A three-year deal for a 72-year-old NFL legend, stepping into a college football landscape dominated by NIL deals and transfer portals, feels like something out of left field. But Belichick insists it's the right fit.
"I like challenges," he said. "This is an opportunity to bring my experience to a different level of the game."
As for whether he'll wear Carolina blue hoodies with the sleeves hacked off, Belichick smirked and said, "You'll have to wait and see."
For now, the Tar Heels have their man—and a little more buzz around their football program than anyone could've imagined.
