MARION (WBSM) — Perhaps the most famous college football coach in the game today was on the SouthCoast recently, as University of North Carolina new head coach Bill Belichick paid a visit to Tabor Academy in Marion.

Belichick was on campus Friday “inquiring about players from our New England Championship-winning football team,” according to a post on the Tabor Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The coach who won six Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots and two more as a New York Giants assistant, and who needs just 14 NFL victories to surpass Don Shula for most all-time, shocked many when he chose to take over the North Carolina program instead of holding out for another gig in the pros.

He left the Patriots in early 2024, and New England then hired Jerod Mayo as head coach. After a 4-13 season, the Pats fired Mayo and then hired former linebacker Mike Vrabel to take over.

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Meanwhile, Belichick signed his contract with the Tar Heels last week, marking the first time he’s ever coached at the college level during his 50-year career.

He was in the Bay State to visit players such as St. Sebastian’s offensive tackle Marky Walbridge (to whom he made an offer) as well as players for Xaverian Brothers and Arlington High School.

READ MORE: Why It Is "Tabor" Academy and Not "Taber"

Who was Belichick looking to speak with at Tabor? The Seawolves have a number of top prospects who are being aggressively scouted and who have offers already coming in, but having “The Hoodie” in Marion might have changed some players’ minds about where they’re thinking of matriculating.

Junior defensive end Carter Gooden wrote on Twitter/X that he was "blessed" to receive an offer from UNC after speaking with Belichick and Assistant Director of Personnel Andrew Blaylock.

We reached out to Seawolves head coach Jeff Moore to find out if anyone else received an offer, but haven’t heard anything back yet.

Where did Belichick stay while in Massachusetts? He has his pick of any one of his seven houses here.

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Former Patriots coach, Bill Belichick can't seem to quit New England. The beloved football legend has just purchased a stunning Nantucket home in the heart of downtown with a backyard perfect for barbecues.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

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