North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick insists his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, is not a distraction and said he has addressed the relationship with his new team.
The relationship between the 73-year-old Belichick and Hudson, who is 24, has attracted huge amounts of media attention as the coach prepares for his first season as a college head coach. Last week journalist Pablo Torre reported that Hudson had been barred from UNC’s football operations. Torre cited 11 sources, including two who claimed Hudson was specifically told she was “no longer allowed in the football building”. UNC later denied those reports and Belichick told ESPN on Tuesday that he had spoken to his players about the issue.
“Really off to the side,” Belichick told ESPN. “It’s a personal relationship, and she doesn’t have anything to do with football.”
Hudson has been a prominent figure around Belichick since his arrival at UNC last December. The six-time Super Bowl-winning coach took over the Tar Heels’ program on a $10m annual salary, making him the highest-paid public employee in North Carolina. Hudson’s influence on Belichick’s media presence was thrust into the spotlight during an April interview with CBS Sunday Morning. While promoting his new book, Belichick was asked about how he and Hudson met. Hudson, off-camera, interjected, saying, “We’re not talking about that.”
On Tuesday, UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham again said the school had no issues with Belichick or Hudson.
“Bill’s been great to work with,” Cunningham said. “He talked about practicing like a pro and he runs a professional organization that is teaching students how to be professional in all aspects of their life. He is a very determined, professional individual, and that’s the way he carries himself and the way he conducts the program.”
Belichick was in attendance at last weekend’s Miss Maine pageant, where Hudson finished as a runner-up. He said that he does not believe such storylines are a distraction for his players.
“I talked to the players when we meet with them,” Belichick said. “We want to make the players the best they can be and giving them the best opportunity on and off the field.”
Belichick was known for his ruthlessly focused approach during his long reign with the New England Patriots. He said he hoped to bring a similar philosophy to UNC.
“Everything we do is a pro model,” Belichick said. “Head coach, general manager, and we want the players to develop professionally in every aspect.”
