CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – The University of North Carolina football program under new head coach Bill Belichick will no longer be the focus on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this offseason, according to a report from NFL insider Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
Following weeks of discussion between UNC, Belichick and NFL Films, the agreement fell through after all parties were close to a deal, the report said.
Creative control ended up being at the center of the reason why all sides failed to make a deal, according to the report.
An initial report last week stated that Belichick and his program would appear on the popular sports show after NFL Films was not able to find a pro team willing to participate. Belichick never made an appearance on “Hard Knocks” during his time in the league.
The 72-year-old Belichick is joining the college ranks for the first time in his career after winning six Super Bowl titles as the New England Patriots head coach.
The “Hard Knocks” crew followed the New York Giants front office leading up to the 2024 NFL draft, capturing the conversations that led to star running back Saquon Barkley’s departure in free agency. Barkley ultimately signed with the Giants’ division rival in Philadelphia, which ended up winning Super Bowl LIX over the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this month.