UNC’s Belichick says he has ‘not and will not’ pursue open NFL jobs, is committed to Tar Heels
North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said he isn’t pursuing any jobs as a head coach in the NFL.
In a statement posted on social media Friday night and coming amid the first changes of the current hiring cycle, the 73-year-old who led the NFL’s New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles said he remains committed to building a program as a first-time college coach.
“Since arriving in Chapel Hill,” Belichick said, “my commitment to the UNC football program hasn’t (wavered).”
The New York Giants and Tennessee Titans have coaching vacancies, notably with the Giants firing Brian Daboll earlier this week. Belichick was part of two Super Bowl titles with the Giants as defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells.
Belichick, who shrugged off coaching rumors Tuesday after Daboll’s firing, specifically mentioned the Giants in Friday’s statement.
“It was a privilege for me to work for the Mara family and be a member of Coach Parcells’ staff for over a decade,” Belichick said. “However, despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies.”
Belichick’s Tar Heels (4-5, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) have won two straight games to inch closer to bowl eligibility, notably with a better defensive showing that has included racking up sacks.
UNC visits Wake Forest on Saturday, the first of three straight in-state ACC foes to end the regular-season schedule.
“My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud,” Belichick said. “We’re on to Wake Forest.”
50 catches and counting: Rams' tight end quartet thriving in Sean McVay's offense
Rams tight end Tyler Higbee celebrates with Colby Parkinson, center, after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 2. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Logan Paulsen recognized the mastery, despite Sean McVay’s youth.
Jordan Reed immediately tapped into the positivity of the then-20-something assistant coach.
So the former NFL tight ends, who were tutored by McVay in Washington, are happy that the Rams’ ninth-year coach has utilized a quartet of tight ends this season — a sizable shift in an offense that has helped fuel a four-game winning streak entering Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium.
McVay is among coaches who recognize “how much of a matchup nightmare tight ends can be and how vital they are to an offense,” Reed said, “so it’s awesome to see the position grow.”
McVay was an offensive assistant in Washington for one season before he was elevated to tight ends coach in 2011, and then offensive coordinator in 2014.
“He was so young,” said Paulsen, who played in Washington from 2010 to 2015. “He never played tight end before, he didn’t have any background there ... and here he comes as a quality-control guy with this level of mastery.
“And I think that just speaks to how special he was then, and how special he is now.”
McVay, 39, acknowledges that the Rams' deployment of multiple tight ends harks to his start as an NFL position coach.
“This does bring back some good memories,” he said.
Sean McVay instructs players during training camp with Washington in July 2014. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)
The group has thrived under tight ends coach Scott Huff, with plays designed by offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and McVay, who doubles as the Rams’ playcaller.
“The only reason you can do it is because you have four players that are capable of doing it,” McVay said.
During McVay’s first eight seasons, the Rams' offense operated almost exclusively out of 11 personnel, which featured a running back, a tight end and three receivers. But this season, McVay has used as many as three tight ends at a time for added blocking and receiving targets.
Higbee, Allen, Parkinson and Ferguson have combined for 50 catches and seven touchdowns.
“They all bring their own edge to the game,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “Their play style is relentless. I think of so many plays in games where guys are fighting that extra inch and those guys epitomize that.”
The tight ends are thrilled with their expanded role.
“The plate’s a lot fuller,” said Allen, who has three touchdown catches.
And all players are involved, Parkinson noted.
“You can see the joy on everyone’s faces, but especially this tight ends group,” he said. “It’s fun to be able to impact the game.”
Ferguson has provided the biggest wrinkle.
The Rams selected the former Oregon star with their first pick in the 2025 draft, and he impressed during offseason workouts. But a groin injury suffered during training camp slowed Ferguson’s development at one of the NFL’s most complicated positions.
On Oct. 19 in London, Ferguson showed his route-running and separation skills in a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has continued to evolve the past two games.
Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson catches a touchdown pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Oct. 19. (Ian Walton / Associated Press)
“Just blessed that they have the trust to put me in those opportunities to showcase my athleticism, to be able to stretch the field and run some special routes and do some cool things,” said Ferguson, who trained with Paulsen before the draft.
Paulsen, who played eight NFL seasons, said McVay’s ability to create a “safe space” for players to learn exactly what he is looking for in a play was “freeing.”
“I know it sounds like he’s putting you in a box,” Paulsen said, “but when you know exactly what is expected of you, it’s easier for you to meet that expectation.”
While playing for McVay, Reed made the NFL All-Rookie team in 2013 and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2016.
McVay’s “positivity,” his ability to make complicated concepts understandable and his knack for creating mismatches, helped fuel Reed’s development.
“He made you feel like you were the best,” Reed said. “That’s what it was like playing for him.”
Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks: How to watch, start time and prediction
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, left, celebrates with running back Blake Corum after catching a touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 2. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
On Sunday, the Rams will play against Kupp for the first time when the Seattle Seahawks visit SoFi Stadium for a game that will determine first place in the NFC West.
Kupp, released by the Rams last March after they could not find a trade partner, is a complementary piece of a Seahawks offense that features quarterback Sam Darnold and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is on pace to break the NFL season record for yards receiving.
But Kupp, who has 26 catches for 367 yards and a touchdown, is still on the minds of Rams players and coaches.
“I'm glad he's feeling good and ready to rock and roll,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “He’s a lifelong friend of mine. Obviously, we'll be competing against him this weekend, but it’ll be good to see him.”
Kupp played “an instrumental role” in building the Rams' culture, coach Sean McVay said.
“He modeled the way,” McVay said, adding, “He's elevated a lot of people in this building.”
Receiver Puka Nacua benefited from Kupp’s tutelage.
“A foreign feeling for sure,” Nacua said when asked what it would be like playing against Kupp for the first time. “I know I'm excited to see him.”
Is there a postgame jersey swap planned?
“Honestly, I'm hoping that he doesn't take it off because if I see him take it off for somebody else, I might hit somebody on our team, respectfully,” Nacua said, laughing.
Key injuries
Rams: WR Davante Adams (oblique, questionable but expected to play), DE Kobie Turner (back, questionable but expected to play).
The Rams (7-2) and the Seattle Seahawks (7-2) will play at 1:05 p.m. PST Sunday at SoFi Stadium. The game will be shown on Fox throughout Southern California and will be available nationally via a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. In Southern California, fans can listen to the game on 710 AM, 93.1 FM and 1330 AM (Español).
Betting lines and odds for Rams vs. Seahawks
Who will win Rams vs. Seahawks?
Gary Klein's pick: The Rams might not score at least 34 points as they did in their past three games, but they will outlast the Seahawks and extend their winning streak to five games.
