It’s never too late to go back to school. Bill Belichick, a first-time college football head coach after nearly four decades in the NFL, can attest to that. On Wednesday, he agreed to become the next coach at North Carolina, finalizing what promises to be one of the most intriguing experiments in the sport’s history.
Belichick, at 72 years old, is set to turn 73 in April, making him the oldest head coach in college football. Interestingly, he represents a younger route for the Tar Heels, stepping in to replace Mack Brown, who was 73 during his last season. While Belichick may be older, he comes in slightly younger than Brown. Nonetheless, UNC is taking a significant risk by handing the reins to the new oldest coach in college football, despite his impressive success in the NFL.
Bill Belichick’s Unique Position
What makes this situation even more fascinating is that Belichick has no experience at the college level. His clean 0-0 record at North Carolina stands in stark contrast to his NFL achievements, where he boasts a remarkable 302-165 record and six Super Bowl rings. This impressive resume, along with his vision to transform the Tar Heels into an NFL-style program, was enough to convince the school to offer him the job.
Despite his age, Belichick wasn’t the oldest head coach in the NFL during his final season with the Patriots. That title belonged to Seattle’s Pete Carroll, who is eight months older than Belichick. This context adds another layer to the discussion about age and experience in coaching.
Oldest Coaches in College Football
Let’s take a closer look at where Belichick stands among the oldest college football coaches:
1. Bill Belichick, North Carolina
- Age: 72
- Experience: 1st season
- Record: 0-0
The fact that Belichick is the oldest FBS head coach with no college experience speaks volumes about the uniqueness of his situation.
2. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
- Age: 69
- Experience: 27th season
- Record: 204-123
Kirk Ferentz is the longest-tenured head coach in the nation, entering his 27th season at Iowa. With four Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, he hasn’t had a losing season since 2012. His teams have consistently finished in the upper tier of the Big Ten, thanks in part to his formidable defenses.
3. K.C. Keeler, Temple
- Age: 65
- Experience: 3rd season
- Record: 12-12
K.C. Keeler recently took the reins at Temple after a successful stint at FCS Delaware. He led Sam Houston State to a remarkable turnaround, showcasing his ability to elevate programs.
4. Kyle Whittingham, Utah
- Age: 65
- Experience: 21st season
- Record: 167-86
Since replacing Urban Meyer at Utah in 2005, Whittingham has been a steady force, guiding the Utes to back-to-back Pac-12 titles in 2021 and 2022. Despite a challenging season recently, he has maintained a remarkable record with 17 winning seasons in 20 years.
5. Willie Fritz, Houston
- Age: 64
- Experience: 12th season
- Record: 75-62
Entering his second season at Houston, Fritz previously led Tulane to impressive heights. His ability to improve programs is evident, as he aims to turn around the Cougars after a disappointing 4-8 season in 2024.
6. Curt Cignetti, Indiana
- Age: 63
- Experience: 4th season
- Record: 30-5
Cignetti, heading into his fourth season at the FBS level, has already made a name for himself. After a successful tenure at James Madison, he has the Hoosiers poised for success, leading them to the College Football Playoff with an impressive 11-1 record.
7. Brian Kelly, LSU
- Age: 63
- Experience: 22nd season
- Record: 194-73
Brian Kelly’s coaching journey has taken him from Central Michigan to Notre Dame and now to LSU. With a track record of success, including a national championship game appearance, he continues to build a strong program in Baton Rouge.
8. Jim Mora, UConn
- Age: 63
- Experience: 10th season
- Record: 63-50
Mora, the son of a former NFL coach, has had a rollercoaster coaching career. After a solid start at UCLA, he is now entering his fourth season at UConn, where he recently led the Huskies to an 8-4 record and a bowl appearance.
9. Sam Pittman, Arkansas
- Age: 63
- Experience: 6th season
- Record: 29-31
Pittman’s journey to head coach has been marked by ups and downs. With a mix of winning and losing seasons, he aims to find consistency at Arkansas after a 6-6 campaign in 2024.
10. Jay Norvell, Colorado State
- Age: 61
- Experience: 9th season
- Record: 49-46
Norvell is coming off his best season at Colorado State, leading the Rams to an 8-4 record. His previous success at Nevada shows his ability to build competitive teams.
As North Carolina embarks on this new chapter with Bill Belichick, the college football world will be watching closely. Can a legendary NFL coach translate his success to the college game? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the excitement surrounding this transition is palpable.
