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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
Belichick is set to appear Friday on “Good Morning America” for a sit-down interview with Michael Strahan.
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