The general manager of the North Carolina Tar Heels has defiantly claimed Bill Belichick will not abandon college football for an immediate return to the NFL, after the 72-year-old became linked with a series of vacant posts.

Head coach jobs are open at the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders, whilst the six-time Super Bowl winner has also been linked with the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.

Reports also say that Belichick has not yet signed his contract with the Tar Heels and could walk away. He is yet to deny the talk, but now Michael Lombardi has on his behalf in a bid to kill the links dead.

“Bill is recruiting in DC today and Baltimore tomorrow,” Lombardi said via X.com, formerly Twitter. “His focus is on North Carolina football, hiring staff members and developing the team.

“The NFL isn’t a option so please stop making it one. Thank you.”

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The latter comment refers to an alleged clause in Belichick‘s contract, which is said to allow the ex-New England Patriot to quit if an NFL team comes calling. The man from Tennessee is closing in on Don Shula‘s record for number of wins, trailing by 26.

Lombardi thanks “amazing” schools for Belichick reception

When the 72-year-old agreed a deal in December, he was an analyst and it seemed as though no NFL teams were too keen on him after an unsuccessful interview with the Atlanta Falcons.

Now vacancies have appeared, he is often linked due to his status as one of the greatest coaches in American Football history.

Yet despite the rumor mill never slowing down, Lombardi said they’ve had a good reception across the high school scene as they prepare for their next college football season in 2025.

“The reception towards UNC and Coach Belichick has been amazing from every school we visit,” Lombardi later added via X.com. “We are going to fight to keep North Carolina players here and bring the best to Chapel Hill.”