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Belichick Confirms UNC Ban on Patriots Scouts, Citing Being Unwelcome in Foxborough

UNC has tightened in-person NFL access this season, with New England alone shut out of campus visits.

Head Coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels explained his decision to ban scouts from the Patriots from UNC practices.
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Overview

  • After UNC’s Sept. 6 win at Charlotte, Bill Belichick said Patriots staff are not welcome at North Carolina’s facilities because he is not welcome at the Patriots’ facility.
  • ESPN reported that UNC officials Michael Lombardi and Frantzy Jourdain told New England of the restriction the day before a planned scout visit in August.
  • Multiple outlets say UNC has broadly limited in-person access for all NFL teams, including brief practice viewing windows and no access to Tar Heels coaches or personnel.
  • UNC is still providing the Patriots with game film and answering phone inquiries on players, while New England coach Mike Vrabel downplayed the impact and said the team will find other evaluation methods.
  • Reporting ties Belichick’s stance to lingering friction with Patriots ownership following his 2024 exit, while analysts warn the policy could reduce UNC players’ exposure to at least one NFL team.