Almost winning a game has Bill Belichick feeling himself.
The embattled North Carolina coach fired back at a reporter who suggested the team has galvanized since Belichick confirmed his commitment to the program earlier this month after reports surfaced he was discussing a buyout during his disastrous first season.
And Belichick even used one of President Donald Trump’s favorite sayings to hammer home his point.
“It’s never been anything but that. Whoever that story came from, it’s already been taken down and everything else,” a stone-faced Belichick said. “It’s just total — as Trump would say —fake news. It’s just a novel. Look, our consistency has been here since the day that Michael Lombardi and I came in and started hiring people and came into the organization in December.
“We got in the same day and have been doing it every day, and that’s the way it’s gonna be. I’m sure there’s a lot of other people that want to get clicks and views and posts on ‘myface’ or whatever. It’s just a bunch of garbage.”
Belichick can’t deny, however, the disappointing results in his first year as a head college football coach.
The Tar Heels are 2-5 with their two wins coming against 1-7 Charlotte and Richmond, which plays on the FCS level.
Belichick’s relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson has also been closely scrutinized as the former cheerleader has been a constant presence on the sidelines after a headline-making offseason.
Belichick’s time in Chapel Hill reached a low point in early October with reports swirling about a divided program in chaos during the team’s bye week. Belichick and athletic director Bubba Cunningham were forced to put out statements reaffirming a mutual dedication.
Since then, North Carolina has lost two heartbreaking ACC games to Cal and Virginia.
The Tar Heels lost in overtime on Saturday to the No. 16 Cavaliers when Belichick’s decision to go for two in overtime while trailing 17-16 backfired when Ben Hall was stopped inches short of the goalline.
Belichick will go for his first ACC win Friday night when North Carolina travels to Syracuse.
