North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick’s turbulent first season in Chapel Hill concluded Saturday night with a 42-19 blowout loss to rival NC State, capping a 4-8 campaign marked as much by off-field headlines as on-field struggles.
Following the game, the 73-year-old coach was observed removing his team-issued puffer coat to wrap around his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, 24, as the pair exited the stadium. Hudson had braved the freezing temperatures in a sleeveless navy top and sheer printed pants, a fashion choice that served as a final flashpoint in a season defined by scrutiny of the couple.
A Season of “Failure”:
The loss to the Wolfpack solidified a disappointing 4-8 record for the Tar Heels, leaving the program ineligible for a bowl game. The result stands in stark contrast to the high expectations that accompanied Belichick’s hiring, which was touted as a transformative move for the university.
Instead, the season was characterized by lopsided defeats—including a 48-14 loss to TCU and a 38-10 routing by Clemson—and an offense that often looked stagnant. Critics have labeled the experiment an “abject failure,” noting that the six-time Super Bowl champion struggled to adapt to the college game or elevate the roster’s performance.
Distractions and Controversy:
Throughout the fall, the team’s struggles often took a backseat to the media circus surrounding Belichick’s relationship with Hudson.
Just days before the season finale, Hudson sparked a fresh wave of online commentary after she was photographed Friday pumping gas in a “Code Black” cheerleading uniform with her midriff exposed. The images went viral, fueling ongoing narratives from critics—including former coach Jon Gruden—that Hudson’s high-visibility presence served as a distraction to the football operations.
The “gas station” incident was merely the latest in a string of controversies involving the former cheerleader. The season was punctuated by reports of feuds between Hudson and Belichick’s family members, as well as a threatened defamation lawsuit by Hudson against journalist Pablo Torre over reports regarding her access to team facilities.
While Belichick attempted to maintain his signature “on to the next game” focus, the combination of a losing record and constant tabloid fodder has left the program facing an uncertain offseason.
Flip the pages for photos of Hudson’s abs.
