As expected, Belichick said he’s focused on the next opponent on the schedule.<\/b>
\nAs expected, Belichick said he’s focused on the next opponent on the schedule.
Bill Belichick\u2019s response to the vacant Giants job: North Carolina football is now 4-5 on the season following a second consecutive win \u2014 a 20-15 victory over Stanford last Saturday. Just in time for a possible midseason surge are the latest rumors about Bill Belichick\u2019s return to the NFL.
With the Giants\u2019 recent decision to fire Brian Daboll after he compiled a 20-40-1 record in three-and-a-half seasons in New York, one of the jobs that New England\u2019s longtime coach had historical ties to is now vacant.
Would Belichick consider a return to the NFL at the age of 73? Asked about it during a Tuesday UNC press conference, the eight-time Super Bowl winner had a recognizable response.
\u201cGetting ready for Wake Forest, that\u2019s all I got this week,\u201d Belichick replied. The Tar Heels travel to play Wake Forest on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
\u201cI\u2019ve been asked about [a potential NFL comeback] from time-to-time,\u201d Belichick added. \u201cLook, I\u2019ve been down this road before. I\u2019m focused on Wake Forest, that\u2019s it. That\u2019s my commitment to this team. Next week it\u2019ll be to our next opponent and so forth. I\u2019m here to do the best I can for this team.\u201d
Patriots fans will undoubtedly have a sense of familiarity hearing Belichick\u2019s terse response. But amid the many questions that have already developed about his commitment to UNC and the quality of the program that\u2019s been built so far, the longtime New England head coach has steadfastly maintained that he wants to see the project through.
Belichick\u2019s connections to the Giants go back to his time as an assistant coach under Bill Parcells. He eventually rose to become the team\u2019s defensive coordinator, directing a talented unit that helped New York win two Super Bowls.
Trivia: Bill Belichick rose to prominence as an NFL coach during his time with the Giants, but New York wasn\u2019t his first stop in the league. Can you recall the first NFL team that Belichick worked for?
(Answer at the bottom.)
Hint: The team has since relocated.
Scores and schedules:
The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 5-3 at TD Garden on Tuesday. On Thursday, the Bruins will travel to Ottawa to play the Senators at 7 p.m.
Also from Tuesday, the Celtics lost to the 76ers 102-100. Tonight, Boston will host the Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m.
Tomorrow, the Patriots play the Jets at Gillette Stadium, with kickoff set for 8:15 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Mic\u2019d up Christian Gonzalez: The talented cornerback had his hands full against the Buccaneers, creating some interesting mic\u2019d up soundbites.
On this day: In 1982, the Celtics defeated the Mavericks 118-110 at the Boston Garden, with Larry Bird totaling a game-high 26 points (and seven blocks from Kevin McHale).
Daily highlight: David Pastrnak marked a milestone in style, scoring his 400th career goal in customarily skillful fashion.
Trivia answer: Baltimore Colts<\/p>\n