Bill Belichick to North Carolina: Lawrence Taylor, Mike McCarthy, football world react to stunning decision

The news that Bill Belichick will reportedly become the new head coach at North Carolina instead of pursuing one of the NFL coaching openings has shocked the sports world.

Belichick's arrival in Chapel Hill on an announced five-year deal is surprising for several reasons. The suspicion was that the six-time Super Bowl winner (with two titles as an assistant) would remain in the familiar territory of the NFL. At 72, Belichick is also older than you might expect at a program like UNC, which could take a few years to elevate itself into College Football Playoff contention.

But when you look at all the attention this decision is getting, it's clear why North Carolina would risk hiring someone who has never coached in college before and who is seemingly unfamiliar with the grind of recruiting players that is necessary for success.

Someone who would arguably be an authority on Belichick and North Carolina is former NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Taylor was an All-American at UNC and played under Belichick during most of his Hall of Fame career with the New York Giants.

“UNC stock just rose!!!” Taylor texted longtime NFL reporter Gary Myers. Apparently Taylor was one of the people Belichick consulted when he decided to take the job.

Naturally, such an unconventional hire led to jokes, such as Belichick resembling UNC's cranky Tar Heel logo.

Changing Chapel Hill's name to “Chapel Bill” was also a popular response.

Many observers wondered why exactly Belichick would choose to likely end his college career, which may or may not impact his legacy. For example, it is now highly unlikely that he will overtake Don Shula for the most wins by an NFL head coach, something that was presumably important to him.

Many pointed out that just coaching football is what matters most to Belichick, rather than analyzing it or commenting in the media. Author David Halberstam noted this in his 2005 book on Belichick, “The Education of a Coach.”

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy reinforced the sentiment of “coaches wanting to coach” and had high praise for both UNC and Belichick (who many thought could replace McCarthy).

Belichick reportedly visited several college coaches during his year away from the sidelines to learn. He has consulted with college coaches throughout his career, including former Alabama coach Nick Saban, former Ohio State and Florida coach Urban Meyer and current Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is among those who asked whether some of those coaches would have been as open if they knew Belichick was migrating to the college game.

Another angle on the legacy question is that Belichick may see coaching in North Carolina as a way to bring his family's coaching history full circle.

Belichick's father, Steve, coached running backs at UNC from 1953-55. If, as expected, Belichick adds his son Stephen, currently the defensive coordinator at Washington, to his staff, the limbs of his family tree at the school could extend further.

Others wondered if Belichick could get the band back together in Chapel Hill and hire some of his former assistants, including Charlie Weis and Joe Judge, and players to his staff.

Before Belichick's hiring became official, current Patriots quarterback and former UNC alum Drake Maye thought the coach and the school were a great fit.

“A legendary coach, with the success he had here,” Maye said. “What a great place Chapel Hill is… I think coach will love Chapel Hill.”

Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne, who played for Belichick for three seasons, shared some advice on what the Tar Heels' student-athletes can expect from a “tough coach.”

“Stay strong,” Bourne told reporters on Wednesday. “Have a gritty mindset because it won't be easy.”

“Don't miss class,” he added.