Bill Belichick dismisses ‘outside noise' surrounding UNC football: ‘We've always dealt with that'

New York Times

2 days ago

Bill Belichick is unbothered by the 'outside noise' that has surrounded his program in his first few months as North Carolina's coach, he said Tuesday.
'Is there noise out there? We've always dealt with that. Really, our job is to build a football team and help build the team and also build their individual careers,' Belichick said in his first news conference since March 5.
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Belichick, 73, chuckled when he was asked if his girlfriend, 24-year-old Jordon Hudson, would be on the sidelines for Tar Heels games this fall.
'No, she doesn't have any role in the UNC football program. But again, there's been noise out there about a lot of different things. Our focus is day to day, getting better, stacking good days together.'
Hudson and Belichick's relationship has been the subject of conversation since Belichick's arrival, intensifying after Hudson went viral this spring for repeatedly interrupting a CBS News interview promoting Belichick's new book, which was released on May 6.
'Some of the noise that's out there and the book and stuff like that, it is what it is. That's a personal venture I entered into when I wasn't in coaching last year,' Belichick said. 'Hopefully, (the book) will be a big purchase on Father's Day.'
In December, Belichick asked that Hudson be copied on emails sent to Belichick. North Carolina's athletic communications staff was in the middle of restructuring and Hudson no longer receives those emails. The Athletic reported in April that Hudson's requests to be heavily involved in the production of NFL Films' Hard Knocks — a documentary featuring Belichick's transition into college football — were 'instrumental' in NFL Films' decision to stop pursuing the project.
Four UNC players also spoke to reporters Tuesday, marking the first time Belichick's players have been made available to the media since his arrival in December.
Offensive lineman Christo Kelly, an incoming transfer from Holy Cross, said the discussion about Belichick and Hudson hasn't affected the team, echoing what some former players told The Athletic this spring.
'Outside noise is a part of playing college football. That just comes with the territory. It doesn't really have any effect on us or the day to day,' Kelly said. 'We're focused on competing and getting better and stacking those days. Everything else is just noise. We're worried about keeping the main thing the main thing.'
North Carolina's season kicks off on Sept. 1 when the Tar Heels host TCU.