In a recent statement, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel expressed that former coach Bill Belichick remains welcome in New England, despite tensions surrounding Belichick’s departure and recent events at the North Carolina Tar Heels football facility.
Belichick, who led the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories during his 24-year tenure, confirmed that he does not want any members of the Patriots’ coaching staff at the Tar Heels’ facility. This announcement followed a report from The Athletic that indicated a Patriots scout had been banned from attending summer practices in North Carolina. In his response, Belichick stated, “It’s clear I’m not welcomed in their facility, so they aren’t welcomed in ours. Simple as that.”
Vrabel addressed the situation during an appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show,” emphasizing that Belichick is not being excluded from returning to the Patriots’ former home. “Nothing surprises me,” Vrabel remarked. “I would imagine that Bill, I mean, he came back for — the best of my knowledge — Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony. So I guess he’s welcomed back, based on the fact that he was there.”
Despite Belichick attending Brady’s Hall of Fame induction and participating in the “Roast of Tom Brady” on Netflix, the circumstances surrounding his exit from the Patriots in January 2024 appear to have left lingering hard feelings.
Belichick’s initial days at North Carolina have not been smooth, as the Tar Heels suffered a significant defeat, losing to TCU 48-18 at home. However, the team bounced back with a 20-3 win against Charlotte on the subsequent Saturday.
Since Belichick’s departure from the Patriots, the team has struggled, posting a record of just 4-14. As the Patriots navigate their challenges, Vrabel’s comments offer a glimpse into the complex relationship between Belichick and the franchise he once led to unprecedented success.
