Belichick uses Trump’s ‘fake news’ line to criticize UNC buyout reports
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North Carolina Tar Heels football coach Bill Belichick used one of President Donald Trump’s catchphrases to criticize a report against his program.
During a recent press conference, a reporter asked Belichick if he felt his UNC program was headed in a new direction since he issued a statement confirming he was committed to the program despite a report that school leaders were discussing a potential buyout during his 2-5 campaign.
Belichick, whose Tar Heels narrowly lost to No. 15 Virginia over the weekend, fired back.
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North Carolina State head coach Bill Belichick directs his team during a game on Sept. 6, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Neil Redmond)
“It was anything but that,” he said, referring to his players’ efforts.
“No matter where this story came from, it’s already been taken down and everything else. It’s just completely fake news — as Trump says. It’s just a narrative. Look, we’ve been consistent here since the day Michael Lombardi and I came in and started hiring people and joined the organization in December.”
“We arrived on the same day and we did it every day, and that’s the way it’s going to be.”
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It’s no secret that Belichick’s training for his inaugural season at the college level isn’t going according to plan. UNC has lost four straight weeks, and has been blown out several times this season.
Rumors surfaced this month that Belichick and the school were discussing a “possible exit strategy” during the failed season, according to 247 Sports. Belichick has a $20 million buyout as part of his contract, though the report added that the alleged rules violation could help the program cancel or reduce the buyout.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Gordon Hudson on the sidelines of a TCU game at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, September 1, 2025. (Eric W. Rascoe/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
However, Belichick and athletic director Bill Cunningham issued separate statements stating that there is no interest in Belichick leaving Chapel Hill.
“I am fully committed to UNC football and the program we are building here,” Belichick’s statement said.
“Coach Belichick has the full support of the athletics department and the university,” Cunningham added.
There have been no shortage of reports and rumors since Belichick took the job earlier this year, but at this point he’s used to outside noise.
New North Carolina Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media at the Loudermilk Center of Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagine Images)
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He added: “I’m sure there are a lot of other people who would like to get clicks and views and posts on ‘myface’ or whatever. It’s just a bunch of rubbish.”
The Tar Heels face Syracuse on the road on Friday. UNC no longer has ranked teams on its ACC schedule for the remainder of the 2025 season.
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