Bill Belichick's UNC boss hit with Jordon Hudson ban questions after firing rumors surface
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham avoided any mention of Jordon Hudson while discussing Bill Belichick's role as head football coach amid potential distractions in the program.
During an interview with ESPN on Tuesday, Cunningham denied a report by Pablo Torre that claimed Hudson, 24, was banned from UNC athletics — and praised Belichick, 73, for carrying himself as a 'professional individual.'
'Bill's been great to work with,' Cunningham said. 'He talked about practicing like a pro and he runs a professional organization that is teaching students how to be professional in all aspects of their life. He is a very determined, professional individual, and that's the way he carries himself and the way he conducts the program.'
4 Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson attend the 14th Annual NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre on Feb. 6, 2025.
Getty Images
When asked whether he was concerned about distractions, Cunningham said, 'Bill is an incredibly focused person.'
Cunningham spoke with ESPN after Torre reported Monday there 'is a real chance' Belichick won't be coaching for UNC in Week 1 of the 2025 college football season as the drama around the coach and his girlfriend have overwhelmed any discussion about the football team.
Cunningham did not directly address that report.
4 University of North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham.
AP
During a Tuesday appearance on 'SportsCenter,' Belichick said Hudson has nothing to do with his football program.
It was his first televised interview since her viral interjection during his 'CBS Sunday Mornings' interview that aired April 27 and served as precursor for multiple reports that alleged she's trying to control Belichick's career in order to benefit hers.
'That's really off to the side, it's a personal relationship,' he said while at the ACC Spring Meetings. 'She doesn't have anything to do with UNC football.'
4 Bill Belichick addresses his relationship with Jordon Hudson during a 'SportsCenter' appearance at the ACC Spring Meetings on May 13, 2025.
ESPN
Belichick told ESPN he discussed the situation surrounding his personal life with his team and that it won't be a distraction.
'I talked to the players when we meet with them,' Belichick said. 'We want to make the players the best they can be and giving them the best opportunity on and off the field.'
Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl winner, went on to emphasize his goal of making North Carolina the '33rd NFL team' by implementing a pro model.
The six-time Super Bowl winner added that he he isn't putting pressure on himself to set expectations in his first season coaching at the college level.
'Try to stack good days together,' Belichick said. 'Good day, come back, build higher the next day. It's not about where we're going to be X-number of months or weeks from now.'
4 Jordon Hudson seen on the field with Bill Belichick during a UNC spring game in April 2025.
The Carolina Cockroach/TikTok
Belichick is set to appear Friday on 'Good Morning America' for a sit-down interview with Michael Strahan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
29 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Vic Fangio feels good about Eagles' pass rush despite offseason departures
The Eagles' pass rush that relentlessly pressured Patrick Mahomes was a big part of the reason they won Super Bowl LIX, but that pass rush will look different in 2025: Josh Sweat, who led the team in sacks in the regular season and had 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl, is gone. Milton Williams, who was third on the team in sacks in the regular season and had two sacks in the Super Bowl, is gone. Defensive ends Brandon Graham and Bryce Huff are gone. But Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio isn't worried. Fangio mentioned Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari as players he thinks he can count on to be a big part of the pass rush this season. 'I feel good about Nolan,' Fangio said. 'I think we'll feel good about Jalyx now that he's gonna get a lot of reps and develop. He played good for us down the stretch last year, and played a lot, as you saw, so I feel good about those two guys, and I think they'll continue to improve. We've got Uche, we've got Azeez, we've got three other guys there. I think we'll be fine.' The Eagles suffered heavy losses on defense in free agency, but Fangio has repeatedly said he trusts General Manager Howie Roseman to give him a roster he can succeed with. The roster will look different in 2025, but that doesn't mean it can't again land in the Super Bowl.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ryan Clark Tempers Expectations After Steelers Sign Aaron Rodgers
Ryan Clark Tempers Expectations After Steelers Sign Aaron Rodgers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers are undeniably a better team than they were in the months before signing Aaron Rodgers. Advertisement On Thursday, the league's least entertaining quarterback chase came to an end. Rodgers has emerged from the darkness of the offseason with a newfound will to play, and Pittsburgh has long been the only destination that makes sense. Fans are understandably split on one of the league's most polarizing passers. Rodgers has never shied away from controversy, and his outspoken nature has rubbed many the wrong way. Yet, it's obvious he gives the Steelers a level of potency that Mason Rudolph doesn't. Perhaps one's view of Rodgers lies in whether he can truly forge a deep playoff run with Pittsburgh's roster. Ryan Clark doesn't see that happening. On 'SportsCenter,' the former Steelers star slowed the hype on Pittsburgh's chances after the Rodgers signing. Advertisement "This is the worst case scenario for Pittsburgh Steelers fans," Clark said. "[Rodgers] continues to keep you mired in mediocrity... Will they contend for that championship that Pittsburgh Steelers people and fans and the organization think is the standard? No, they won't. "They'll be fighting for a wild-card spot, they'll probably be home Week 1 of the playoffs and again be looking for a franchise quarterback. If you told me you were going to pair one of this era's greatest coaches with one of this era's greatest quarterbacks, I'd expect greatness. That is not what we'll get. Maybe six years ago, but not now." To an extent, Clark is right. Rodgers, coming off a poor season with the New York Jets, isn't likely to end Pittsburgh's playoff-win drought. He's the next chapter in the Steelers' trek through quarterback purgatory. Yet, there is upside in the unknown, and the Pittsburgh faithful will be grateful to avoid 17 games of backup-level quarterbacking. There's a chance he exceeds expectations and ends his career on a high note, and it's easy to convince oneself that a strong defense with an adult under center could lead to success. Advertisement Given Clark's history with Rodgers, we won't expect a change of tune anytime soon, but this fanbase will cherish the Canton-bound quarterback like a champion if he pulls off anything close. Related: Rodgers To Face Former Team with Shot at History Related: Inside How Much Aaron Rodgers Signing Helps Steelers' Bottom-5 'Triplets' Ranking This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
UFC 316: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley odds, picks and predictions
UFC 316: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley odds, picks and predictions In a 5-round bantamweight championship bout in the main event, Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley meet Saturday at UFC 316 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main event is expected to start approximately at 12:30 a.m. ET. Early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+ / Disney+), followed by the prelims at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN+ / Disney+) and the main card at 10 p.m. ET (Pay-Per-View). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's UFC odds around the UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley odds, and make our expert UFC picks and predictions. Records: Dvalishvili (19-4-0) | O'Malley (18-2-0) Dvalishvili lifted the bantamweight strap off of O'Malley at UFC 306 in a unanimous-decision victory Sept. 14, 2024. He successfully defended the championship at UFC 311 in January against Umar Nurmagomedov, also by way of unanimous decision. In fact, the Georgian fighter has 5 consecutive victories by way of unanimous-decision. Starting with a unanimous-decision victory over Terrion Ware in September 2018, Dvalishvili has won 11 times by way of UD, with just 1 fight inside the distance by way of KO/TKO in round 2 against Marlon Moraes in September 2021. In fact, in his MMA career, Dvalishvili has 23 fights under his belt, with a 3-0 record via KO/TKO, and 1-1 by way of submission. That means he is 15-3 in 18 fights going the distance. O'Malley hasn't fought since his loss to Dvalishvili at UFC 306 as he suffered a torn labrum in his hip which required corrective surgery. Now that he is healthy, "Suga Show" is back on as he runs it back against Dvalishvili. Prior to the Dvalishvili loss, he took the belt off of Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 by way of KO/TKO in August 2023. Seven months later, he successfully defended the belt against Marlon Vera at UFC 299, winning by unanimous decision March 9, 2024. O'Malley has gone the distance in 3 of his past 4 fights. O'Malley is 4 years younger than his counterpart, and he has a 5-inch height advantage and 4-inch reach advantage. The switch-stance fighter holds a 6.70-to-4.36 significant-strikes-landed-per-minute advantage. Suga also holds a 61.86% significant-strikes-accuracy percentage to 58.94% for the current champ. Dvalishvili has a 5.89 takedown average, while O'Malley checks in at just 0.29 in the category. The submission average difference is rather negligible, however, as O'Malley holds a slight 0.29-to-0.26 advantage. UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:43 a.m. ET. Fight result (2-way line) : Dvalishvili -285 (bet $285 to win $100) | O'Malley +225 (bet $100 to win $225) : Dvalishvili -285 (bet $285 to win $100) | O'Malley +225 (bet $100 to win $225) Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -250 | No +175) UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley picks and predictions O'MALLEY (+225) is a strong play for the opportunity to multiply up 2.25 times your initial bet. The former champ is healthy and a tremendous value at this price. The key to this fight will be if O'Malley can keep the fight upright, and avoid Dvalishvili from wowing the judges with his takedown ability. Both of these fighters have been routinely going the distance lately. If O'Malley was to get a finish, it would be via KO/TKO. If Dvalishvili was to get a finish, it would be by way of submission. He is No. 1 in control time (1:16:27) among the bantamweights. However, O'Malley leads the division in significant-strikes accuracy, and he has a 3.31 striking differential, which also leads the division. Whomever wows the judges most will get the victory. It's really a coin-flip fight despite whatever the sportsbooks say, so back the better value. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! Yes (-250): Fight to go the distance is just a little too on the expensive side, costing 2½ times to win 1 unit. If you were to toss it into a multi-leg parlay, it would be OK, but the parlay likely needs to be at least 3 or 4 legs to make sense. O'MALLEY ON POINTS (+600) is worth a roll of the dice for the chance to multiply up by 6 times. He has won twice via decision in his past 4 fights, including the KO/TKO of Sterling at UFC 292. In the loss to Dvalishvili by way of decision, O'Malley suffered an injury. He is a good bet to bounce back, and for the chance to multiply up 6 times, it's hard to pass on this huge value. Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.
