Paul Finebaum blasts 'laughable' start to Bill Belichick era at UNC: 'I think he'll struggle'

Following a resounding Week 1 loss to TCU, Bill Belichick got his first win at North Carolina last week against Charlotte. But the legendary NFL head coach is still making headlines after confirming a ban of New England Patriots scouts from Tar Heels practice, and SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum didn’t agree with that approach.

Finebaum called out the “laughable” start to Belichick’s tenure as he makes his way to the college game. UNC allowed more points in the season opener than any other Belichick-coached team in the 48-14 loss to TCU. The Tar Heels responded by defeating Charlotte 20-3 last week to get in the win column.

Add in the Patriots’ ban from practice, and Finebaum took aim at the rocky start to Belichick’s tenure. He questioned the approach to the situation while previewing what could lie ahead for the program.

“Fairly laughable,” Finebaum said on The Rich Eisen Show. “I want to be a fan of Bill Belichick, but he makes it impossible. The first game was just an absolute and total disaster on the biggest stage that he probably – not probably, will ever have at North Carolina. The second game meant nothing. They’re playing at Charlotte. Not exactly the bastion of college football. I think he’ll struggle. I think his comments this week may make it even more difficult. Why do you have to continue to be Bill Belichick? I guess, maybe, because you’re 73 years old. But to say what he did about locking the Patriots out, it’s just downright stupid.

“And by the way, we both saw the first game against TCU. Did you see a single prospect on his team that anybody would want to come visit? I didn’t. But in deference to your players, you can’t say that. You want to open the door. But Bill Belichick’s always been a petty, small-minded man. But when you win six Super Bowls and you’re an assistant on two other ones, you can get away with it.”

Reports of Belichick’s decision to ban Patriots scouts from practice broke ahead of the Week 2 matchup at Charlotte. The head coach confirmed that decision during his postgame press conference, saying he is “not welcome” around New England’s facility. As a result, those staffers are “not welcome” at UNC’s.

“It’s clear I’m not welcome there at their facility,” Belichick said. “So they’re not welcome at ours. Very simple.”

Belichick and North Carolina are currently gearing up to return home for a Week 3 matchup against Richmond. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.