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Bill Belichick added a familiar face to his coaching staff at North Carolina.
Former New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins, who played 79 games under Belichick during his NFL career, will be joining the Tar Heels as a defensive assistant in 2025 (via TMZ Sports).
TMZ Sports @TMZ_Sports
Retired All-Pro LB Jamie Collins, who won Super Bowl XLIX with the Patriots, is joining his former head coach Bill Belichick’s coaching staff at the University of North Carolina.
Collins will serve as a defensive assistant for @UNCFootball. @UNC @JamieLee601 pic.twitter.com/k5rkTZ73J1
“Blessed for the opportunity,” Collins said. “My guy. I love that dude, he love me. Obviously, he can’t get rid of me so we’ll see how that works out. But I’m grateful, man. I’m shocked, but grateful and ready.”
Collins explained that he’ll “mainly” work with North Carolina’s linebackers.
The 35-year-old spent 10 years playing in the NFL, starting his career with New England after the team selected him with a second-round pick in the 2013 draft.
Collins quickly excelled in a starting role, winning a championship with the Patriots during the 2014 season and earning Pro Bowl honors in 2015. He was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2016, but he returned to New England two more times before the end of his career.
This included a stint from the middle of the 2021 season through Collins’ 2022 campaign, his final year in the NFL. He eventually retired in Oct. 2023.
As for Belichick, he agreed to mutually part ways with the Patriots following the 2023 season.
He was officially named the Tar Heels’ next head coach on Dec. 11, signing a five-year contract worth $10 million annually.
North Carolina’s current regime already has multiple members with ties to Belichick’s days with the Patriots.
General manager Mike Lombardi served as an executive in New England, while Tar Heels strength and conditioning coach Moses Cabrera previously worked under Belichick on the Patriots (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).
Now, Collins has become the latest member of North Carolina’s staff as the team gears up for the 2025 season.
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