Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick made headlines this week when he made his shocking return to the coaching world by announcing he is taking over head coaching duties at the University of North Carolina.
Few expected Belichick to head to college, but a recent report suggested that he made an effort to return to the NFL, but he was rebuffed.
SNY’s Connor Hughes confirmed a recent report from The Athletic’s Diana Russini that said Belichick’s camp reached out to the New York Jets to express interest and gauge reciprocal interest in their head coaching position, but Belichick wasn’t even granted a formal interview.
Fans had plenty of reaction to this recent report of Belichick’s interest in the Jets.
I can confirm (as @DMRussini said) that Bill Belichick’s camp reached out to the #Jets to express interest/gauge reciprocal interest in their head coaching position. No formal interview.
Still stunned at this. Great scoop by Dianna.
Important note on #NYJ coaching search:… pic.twitter.com/xLrKYa2T52
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 14, 2024
The Jets seriously didn’t even interview him?
— Jacob C. Edmunds (@JacobCEdmunds) December 14, 2024
Surprised he'd have interest in NYJ again after the way things went last time
— Matt Owen (@ProfessorO_NFL) December 14, 2024
Wow. Almost hard to believe considering their relationship. But that’s a shame that it was nothing more than that. Would love to see him back with the Jets or the Giants.
— Bob (@Bob989161536416) December 14, 2024
Jets were like nah you ain’t getting us again
— RivJax (@RivJax213) December 14, 2024
Hughes said that the Jets plan on doing a wide-ranging search and thoroughly sifting through every candidate they can find before identifying who they believe to be a perfect candidate.
If the Jets plan on undergoing a thorough search and turning over every leaf they can find, it’s shocking that a six-time Super Bowl winner doesn’t factor into that plan, especially when he is the one who reached out to them.
Perhaps it’s because the Jets still have resentment from Belichick resigning as the team’s head coach in 2000 just one day after they announced him as their head coach.
Perhaps it’s because Belichick whooped the Jets for two decades with the Patriots.
Or, maybe, it’s because the timing was bad and Belichick reached out to the Jets in the middle of the season.
Regardless, it’s surprising that any team wouldn’t at least listen when Belichick calls them.
NEXT: Report: Bill Belichick Had Interest In Jets Coaching Job
