Bill Belichick\u2019s tenure at the University of North Carolina has been marred with controversy thanks to his highly publicized relationship with girlfriend Jordon Hudson. And on Friday, ESPN\u2019s Paul Finebaum wasn\u2019t afraid to make light of just how concerning Hudson\u2019s involvement in the UNC program could be to the team\u2019s chances in 2025.<\/p>\n
Previewing the 2025 college football season on Friday\u2019s edition of First Take, Finebaum included UNC\u2019s first year under Belichick as one of his three biggest storylines in the sport. And much of that is due to just how involved Hudson has been in the UNC program leading up to the season, with Finebaum claiming that Belichick has even \u201cplayed second fiddle\u201d to Hudson.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, there is Bill Belichick,\u201d said Finebaum while discussing the ACC. \u201cAnybody heard of this guy? He\u2019s only the most famous NFL coach of all-time this side of Vince Lombardi. But lately, he has played second fiddle to his girlfriend. I can\u2019t believe I am actually saying that, but I am. And that is a story that is really intriguing everyone. How does he do on the field? Mack Brown did not leave a great cupboard in Chapel Hill. And I think Belichick has recruited well. Can he navigate the nuances of college football? That is really the question.\u201d<\/p>\n
.@finebaum<\/a>\u2018s top three CFB storylines \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n \ud83e\udd14 What\u2019s the pulse of the ACC with Clemson and UNC? \u2014 First Take (@FirstTake) July 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Finebaum\u2019s assessment, while perhaps a bit harsh, also isn\u2019t all that inaccurate.<\/p>\n Whether it be railroading Belichick\u2019s interview with CBS Sunday Morning<\/a> back in April or playing an \u201cinstrumental\u201d part in the UNC program opting not to take part in HBO\u2019s planned Hard Knocks project<\/a>, it\u2019s hard to argue that Hudson hasn\u2019t overshadowed Belichick within his own program, whether that was intentional or not.<\/p>\n Whether this will affect the Tar Heels\u2019 play on the field this coming season obviously remains to be seen. But clearly, at least Finebaum seems to believe that Belichick\u2019s public perception may have taken a bit of a hit early on in his venture at UNC thanks to his girlfriend.<\/p>\n \t
\ud83c\udf7f Will Georgia and Alabama bounce back?
\ud83d\ude2f Is Arch Manning the best college QB since Tim Tebow? pic.twitter.com\/R6FlCDs8sx<\/a><\/p>\n