Arthur Smith was UNC's 1st choice, not Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick was UNC’s second choice — behind failed NFL head coach
North Carolina actually preferred failed NFL head coach Arthur Smith, a Tar Heels alum, over Bill Belichick as its next head coach, according to ESPN. Once Smith, the Steelers’ offensive coordinator, opted to stay in the NFL, it cleared the path for Belichick to take the reins in Chapel Hill.
Report: Arthur Smith was UNC's first choice, not Bill Belichick
Before the folks at North Carolina made Bill Belichick the program's next head coach, they had a first choice.
Report: Bill Belichick Was UNC's 2nd Choice for HC Job After Steelers' Arthur Smith
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North Carolina AD Preferred NFL OC for Head Coaching Job Before Bill Belichick Hire
In a lengthy exposé detailing how the talks to hire Belichick unfolded, ESPN reported UNC AD Bubba Cunningham had Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in mind to take over the football program before Brown's departure became official.
How Bill Belichick is bringing NFL perspective to North Carolina
Still, Belichick believes his experience in the pros will translate to this new era of college football, where players are getting paid and can essentially enter the transfer port
Bill Belichick Wasn't North Carolina's First Choice For Head Coach: Report
North Carolina stunned the college football world when it hired Bill Belichick to be the new head football coach in December. Belichick interviewed for the gig, but a lot of pundits thought he was just using it as a stepping stone to try and return to the NFL.
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Steelers' Arthur Smith Reportedly Targeting 1 Exciting Quarterback For 2025 NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to have an eventful offseason, and it’s crucial they get it right—especially on the offensive ...
Steelers Almost Lost Arthur Smith to Alma Mater
The Pittsburgh Steelers weren't the best offensive unit last season. Was that due to the offensive scheme by coordinator ...
This Steelers-Colts trade gives Arthur Smith the reclamation QB project of a lifetime
The Pittsburgh Steelers need a franchise quarterback. The Indianapolis Colts have plainly lost faith in Anthony Richardson.
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The NFL coach UNC wanted before hiring Bill Belichick revealed
The University of North Carolina wanted to hire former Falcons flop Arthur Smith before turning their ... football team at the age of 72. The NFL legend won a record six Super Bowls while in ...
2025 Fantasy Football: Projections for Geno Smith, Davante Adams, DK Metcalf, free agents, and more
As we stand on the precipice of NFL Free Agency, with the tampering period officially opening, it is alarming how much has ...