Nick Saban is fully confident that Bill Belichick will have success as North Carolina's head football coach in 2025.
While acknowledging the struggles that come with taking over a new program, the seven-time national champion predicted that Belichick would become a successful college football coach on ESPN's College Gameday. Saban said he believes Belichick's biggest “strength” would translate to the NCAA level.
“Bill's strength as a coach, to me, is developing players,” Saban said. “How you engage with them, how you inspire them, how you influence them, how you impact their development to improve. It's very difficult to do when you have that many new players in this short a time to get ready for a season and get ready for a game. He's gonna have success at North Carolina.”
"Bill's strength as a coach, to me, is developing players."
Nick Saban breaks down why he believes Bill Belichick will succeed at North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/CdWZtElSo7
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025
Saban and Belichick both know a thing or two about winning, regardless of which level. Both coaches are viewed as arguably the greatest of all time, with Saban dominating college football, while Belichick simultaneously led the New England Patriots' dynasty in the NFL.
However, despite his proven track record, Belichick had never been a college football coach before accepting the job at North Carolina. The 73-year-old has spent his entire previous career in the NFL before shockingly coming out of retirement to dive headfirst into the chaotic world of college football, characterized by the unpredictable NIL and transfer portal scene.
While several previous veteran head coaches could not handle the changing of the guard, Belichick has embraced the challenge with open arms. Since taking over for the Tar Heels, Belichick has constructed one of the program's most talented rosters in recent years.
North Carolina begins 2025 college football season against TCU
Bill Belichick and North Carolina will not get a softball to warm up with in their 2025 college football season debut. The Tar Heels open the year in a prime-time matchup on Labor Day against TCU.
Neither the Horned Frogs nor the Tar Heels were particularly at their standard level in 2024, and both endured significant turnover in the offseason. Both teams lost their leading rushers and leading receivers from the 2024 season, and North Carolina will also replace its starting quarterback.
The unknowns of both programs set the table for a compelling matchup, but oddsmakers give TCU the early edge. Sonny Dykes' squad opened as a 3.5-point favorite to begin the season 1-0 and hand Belichick his first loss as a college football coach.
