NFL analyst Harry Douglas was asked who would have a better season between North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
Belichick is set to make his college football debut after a successful coaching stint with the Patriots, where he won six Super Bowls. After being dismissed by the Patriots in January 2024, Belichick couldn’t get a job in the NFL. Last winter, he was offered by the University of North Carolina to become the head coach of their football program. Meanwhile, Mike Vrabel, who has a net worth of $20 million according to Celebrity Net Worth, was hired as head coach of the Patriots ahead of the 2025 season.
On Thursday, during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Douglas is putting his chips behind Vrabel and the Patriots over Belichick’s UNC. Douglas said quarterback Drake Maye is a big reason for that.
“I’m going with Mike Vrabel—I really am,” Douglas said. “I talked about the most prestigious position at all these levels, and that’s the quarterback. Well, we know who the quarterback is for the New England Patriots: that’s Drake Maye. So all you have to do is just surround him with a few pieces.”
Douglas also talked about several other auxiliary pieces of Patriots before arriving to the conclusion.
“I’m putting my faith in a guy that has already done it, in that position, versus a Bill Belichick where everything is nuanced to him.”
Who will have a better first year: Bill Belichick at UNC or Mike Vrabel in New England? 🤔
—@HDouglas83 pic.twitter.com/ZprFGL4Nuw
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 25, 2025
“You go get a Stefon Diggs, you draft a human joystick in Kyle Williams from Washington State,” Douglas added. “You go get TreVeyon Henderson, who can not only run the football but also beat you in the passing game—and block in pass protection. You look at that defense and you say, ‘Man, we’ve got two number one corners now, right?’ We have Carlton Davis. We also have Christian Gonzalez. We have some guys that can rush the passer.
“I’m putting my faith in a guy who has already done it in that position, versus a Bill Belichick where everything is nuanced to him.”
Bill Belichick’s Arrival Has Resulted in a Massive Turnaround at UNC
Following his historic NFL coaching career with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick accepted a five-year contract worth $10 million per year, including incentives, to lead the Tar Heels in December. It’s his first time taking up a coaching job in college football.
Belichick arrived and has already been making massive changes in UNC. He has recruited 71 new players (41 transfers and 30 high-school signees) to revamp the roster immediately.
Belichick will officially make his college football debut on Sept. 1 when North Carolina takes on TCU at Chapel Hill.
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