Bill Belichick’s return to the gridiron may well be the sports news of the year, but the fact that he did so with North Carolina has confused everyone except Tom Thibodeau. The New York Knicks coach not only congratulated his longtime friend and colleague but said he understood why he accepted the job.
A little over a week ago, the six-time Super Bowl champion surprised everyone by announcing that he had accepted the position as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. The move has been analyzed from every possible angle, with some congratulating and others questioning the veteran coach.
Amidst the pros and cons, Thibodeau not only broke down the logic behind Belichick’s decision but compared it to the case of Adrian Wojnaroski, the former ESPN analyst who left his job in front of the cameras to become the successful manager of a college team.
The appeal of the NCAA according to Thibodeau
Speaking to international media, Thibodeau began by calling Belichick“the all-time greatest coach.” The Knicks’ coach then explained, “I think [moving to the NCAA] is more appealing now, probably more than ever.”
Thibodeau recalled, “Colleges are hiring GMs. Like the great Adrian Wojnaroski. St. Bonaventure. Shout out to my father.” The latter in reference to the surprising announcement the ESPN analyst made in October when he accepted the position of general manager of the St. Bonaventure Bonnies.
Thibodeau himself did not rule out returning to the NCAA, where he was previously an assistant and head coach at Salem State and Harvard. “They’re all great jobs if you love teaching and leadership and being part of a team, being part of an organization.”
Tom could follow Belichick’s lead
In this regard, Thibodeau quoted the former New England Patriots coach saying, “I saw where Bill said that… If you love what you do, it’s not work. And we’re fortunate to be doing stuff that we love.”
There is no doubt that Belichick’s decision will continue to cause controversy in the months to come. However, one thing is certain: the veteran strategist has the support of his friends and admirers, starting with Tom Thibodeau.
