Bill Belichick Opens Up About His Patriots Feud, Says “I’m Not Welcomed in Their Facility”

Since parting ways with the New England Patriots in January 2024, Bill Belichick has started a new chapter of his legendary career as the head coach of the University of North Carolina football team. While his tenure began with a difficult loss, Belichick recently secured his first victory in the college ranks. However, the win has been overshadowed by an escalating public feud with his former team.

First Win at Chapel Hill

On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Belichick earned his first win as a college head coach as North Carolina defeated Charlotte 20-3. The victory came after a difficult debut where the Tar Heels suffered a 48-14 home loss to TCU. Following the win, Belichick downplayed the achievement, stating, “It’s hard to win. You gotta do a lot of things right. You gotta do it better than your opponent, so we were fortunate to do that. So it’s, it’s good to be part of it. I tried to do what I could to help them, but look, I didn’t make any blocks, tackles, catches, runs or anything else out there.”

The win was a response to initial questions about whether the 73-year-old coach was capable of winning at the college level. The Tar Heels’ defense held Charlotte to 271 yards and forced two turnovers, while their offense showed signs of life.

The Feud with New England

Just days before his first victory, reports surfaced that Belichick had banned a Patriots scout from attending a North Carolina practice. When asked to address the reports, Belichick confirmed the decision and offered a blunt explanation. “It’s clear I’m not welcomed in their facility, so they aren’t welcomed in ours,” he said. “Simple as that.”

The move has been interpreted by many as a sign of continued tension between Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, despite their seemingly amicable split in 2024. In the wake of Belichick’s comments, new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was asked for his thoughts on the matter. Speaking on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show,” Vrabel responded, “I would imagine that Bill, I mean, he came back for — to the best of my knowledge — Tom (Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame) ceremony. So I guess he’s welcomed back, based on the fact that he was there.”

The ban could impact the Patriots’ ability to scout North Carolina players for the NFL Draft, but it has also put the spotlight on the strained relationship between the NFL’s winningest coach and the franchise he helped build.