Bill Belichick’s days in Chapel Hill may already be numbered.
247 Sports’ Andrew Jones reported that “potential exit strategy discussions” took place at North Carolina on Tuesday as the Belichick experiment goes off the rails.
The school has reportedly had “preliminary conversations” about firing the legendary football coach just five games into the new era.
Complicating matters, Jones added, is Belichick’s massive $20 million buyout.
Alleged rules violation could help the program either eliminate or reduce the buyout down from that number, the outlet wrote.
Belichick, 73, may be looking for an out as well.
College football journalist Ollie Connolly reported that Belichick “has discussed buyout options with North Carolina’s hierarchy” and he “has signalled a willingness to trigger his own $1 million buyout if he can find a soft landing with another team or in media.”
Connolly added that Belichick has reportedly been “weird” and “distant” with his staff and that some coaches were unable to get a hold of him during the team’s bye week.
Earlier this week, Tar Heels cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins was suspended for allegedly giving extra benefits to players, such as sideline passes to family members.
Last month, a lawsuit alleged that the UNC board hired Belichick illegally.
A source told Jones that “there are many other violations that have occurred, many on the recruiting front.”
The latest news comes after a report from WRAL News painted a picture of a dysfunctional program under Belichick, marred by a divided locker room and a disorganized coaching staff.
Things have gotten so bad that UNC has scrapped its season-long Hulu documentary that aimed to capture Belichick’s first year as the Tar Heels’ head coach.
UNC is currently 2-3, but it’s been even worse than their record shows.
The Tar Heels were crushed 48-14 by TCU in their season opener, which featured a star-studded crowd that included Michael Jordan at Chapel Hill.
On Saturday, they were blown out 38-10 by Clemson in front of their home crowd, who darted for the exits early amid the beatdown.
Underlying all the dysfunction is the constant presence of Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
Hudson was on the sideline once again Saturday, and at one point was seen engaging in a discussion with ACC commissioner Jim Phillips.
UNC will take the field next when it heads to Berkeley to face the California Golden Bears on Oct. 17.
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