By M10News Sports Desk | 13 July 2025
College football fans are buzzing ahead of Bill Belichick’s coaching debut at the University of North Carolina — but it’s not just football that’s drawing attention.
According to ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum, the legendary former NFL coach has been overshadowed by his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, as media coverage intensifies in the lead-up to the new season.
“It’s the Jordon and Bill show in Chapel Hill — in that order,” Finebaum said Friday on First Take. “He’s only the most famous NFL coach of all time this side of Vince Lombardi, but lately he’s been playing second fiddle to his girlfriend. I can’t believe I’m saying that, but I am.”
Belichick, 72, and Hudson went public earlier this year, sparking widespread fascination with their relationship. Hudson, a former cheerleader and pageant contestant, has drawn media attention with her rising public profile and off-field drama.
During an interview with CBS Sunday Morning in April, Belichick was questioned about their relationship. Still, Hudson reportedly shut down further inquiries about how they met, prompting some awkward exchanges with producers.
Controversy also followed when rumours swirled that Hudson had been banned from UNC facilities — a claim the university has firmly denied.
Adding to the media frenzy, Hudson was accused of trying to insert herself into a Dunkin’ Doughnuts Super Bowl commercial and has recently been involved in a public spat with Belichick’s ex-partner, Linda Holliday.
The ongoing attention stands in stark contrast to Belichick’s famously disciplined approach during his tenure with the New England Patriots, where he consistently warned players to avoid distractions.
Several of his former players have commented on the irony, noting how Belichick, once a master of managing off-field noise, is now at the centre of a media circus.
Despite the distractions, anticipation is building around Belichick’s first season in college football. His debut is scheduled for September 1, when the Tar Heels host TCU at home.
Oddsmakers have set North Carolina’s season Over/Under at 7.5 wins on DraftKings, with plus-odds on the Over — signalling cautious optimism about Belichick’s transition to the collegiate ranks.
The Tar Heels face several high-stakes matchups, including a crucial October 4 home game against ACC champions Clemson and a Halloween night showdown at Syracuse.
“Mack Brown did not leave a great cupboard in Chapel Hill,” Finebaum noted. “I think Belichick has recruited well, but the big question is whether he can adapt to the nuances of the college game.”
Belichick, who won six Super Bowls with the Patriots, has never coached at the college level, and his ability to build a program in a very different environment will be under close watch.
For now, it seems the drama off the field may be just as compelling as what happens on it.
Editing by M10News Sports Desk | Contact: info@m10news.com
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