Former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson has advised Bill Belichick to hire black coaches for his new staff at the University of North Carolina (UNC), emphasising the importance of recruiting black players. Johnson made the comments on FS1's 'Speak' programme following Belichick's official arrival in Chapel Hill on Thursday.
'I'm just gonna say it,' Johnson said. 'He better hire some black coaches.' Johnson, who co-authored a book on the integration of the NFL in the 1940s, stressed that the advice was practical rather than political. 'He better hire some black coaches, because you got to go out to the homes and the mamas and convince, not daddy, but mommy and auntie that you're going to take care [of their child],' he added.
Belichick, an eight-time Super Bowl champion, was introduced as UNC's head coach on Thursday, replacing the fired Mack Brown. The current UNC staff includes several black coaches, such as Lonnie Galloway, Charlton Warren, Tommy Thigpen, Larry Porter and Jason Jones. It remains unclear who will remain on Belichick's staff, aside from his son Stephen, who served as Washington's defensive coordinator in 2024.
Belichick's five-year deal, worth $10 million per year in base and supplemental salary, was approved by the school's trustees and the state's public university system. The contract includes a $10 million buyout if he leaves before June 2025, dropping to $1 million after that date. The university has also allocated funds for assistant coaching salaries, support staff and revenue sharing for athletes.
During his introductory news conference, Belichick appeared relaxed and joked about his reputation for terse responses. 'I've always wanted to coach in college football,' he said. 'It just never really worked out. Had some good years in the NFL, so that was OK. But this is really kind of a dream come true.'
