ACC football coaches are already getting touchy about the talks of the college football world – Bill Belichick.
NC State coach Dave Doeren appeared to have some issues with the first question of his media availability Thursday being about the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach signing a five-year, $50 million contract with the Tar Heels.
“That’s the first I’m going to get today? Shocker,” Doeren, who is preparing his team to play in the Military Bowl against East Carolina, said to a reporter who began his question asking about Belichick going to a nearby rival ACC team.
“Well, welcome to the ACC. I’m excited to compete against coach. Obviously, all coaches in the business have a great amount of respect and know what he’s done. For me, as a competitor, I’m excited to compete, and that’s all I have to say about it. I haven’t thought a whole lot about that program.”
Doeren, who is 87-64 in his career at NC State after going 6-6 this year, won’t just be competing with Belichick off the field.
North Carolina will now become a major destination on the transfer portal and the two schools are separated by just 30 miles.
In theory, any player who could be looking at NC State as a transfer destination could easily make a pitstop at Chapel Hill and meet with Belichick.
North Carolina offensive lineman Austin Blaske immediately took his name off the transfer portal after Belichick was hired.
Belichick’s NIL package for football is expected to go from $4 million to $20 million, according to USA Today.
Historically, the Tar Heels dominate this rivalry against the Wolfpack (68 wins to 40 losses), but the Wolfpack won this year’s matchup, 35-30, as both teams went 6-6 in the regular season.
Both NC State and North Carolina will play in bowl games on Dec. 28, with NC State meeting East Carolina and UConn facing North Carolina in the Fenway Bowl.
