By every standard, Bill Belichick’s initial five weeks as the head coach of North Carolina’s football team have been anything but ordinary.

The manner in which he landed the position seemed quite out of the blue.

His reasoning for accepting the role — primarily due to a belief that NFL teams had lost interest in him — was certainly unusual.

Observing him engage in recruiting, visit high schools, and utilize social media has been rather strange.

Watching his weekly appearances on the Pat McAfee Show, where he is frequently asked about NFL topics, is also quite bizarre.

Even as Belichick continues to hire assistant coaches and confirms his commitment to UNC for the upcoming season, speculation regarding his potential departure for the right opportunity in the NFL persists — largely fueled by ambiguity about his contract status — which adds to the oddity of it all.

It’s undoubtedly frustrating for both North Carolina and Belichick’s new staff when daily reports suggest varying NFL teams might be considering his interest. Michael Lombardi, Belichick’s trusted associate and general manager, has recently taken to social media to dispel these rumors, insisting, “The NFL isn’t a option so please stop making it one.” Additionally, Belichick’s girlfriend shared an Instagram post showing the couple with the caption: “Two people who are overtly committed to @uncfootball.”

For better or worse, this is the unique experience that awaits North Carolina as long as Belichick is around. Every month, and possibly even every week, may trigger new speculation. Each talkative agent or NFL general manager will likely mention his name to reporters, knowing that his possible return to the league would create quite a stir. And discussions about his contract, which seemingly isn’t fully finalized yet, will only highlight how simple it could be for him to leave college football should an opportunity in the NFL arise.

We must acknowledge that this is the situation North Carolina has entered into. It’s also what Belichick has signed up for; the narrative that he’s merely using this as a stepping stone until a better opportunity appears is mainly influenced by his past and the peculiarity of him joining a college program for the first time at the age of 72.

Belichick likely recognized this better than anyone when he began this journey, and that perception is unlikely to change as long as he dons that Carolina baby blue jersey.

For now, we should trust Belichick and his team when they assert that he is focused solely on assembling a roster and preparing the Tar Heels for the 2025 season. Despite ongoing rumors, the likelihood of him departing North Carolina before truly getting underway seems very minimal.

However, due to the unconventional nature of this arrangement, it’s reasonable to consider that North Carolina’s administration might one day feel taken advantage of by a coach who never quite settled in. It could happen in a year, a month, or maybe sooner. Who knows?

Instead of being concerned about how long Belichick will remain or the negative scenario in which he leaves, North Carolina and its supporters should embrace the adventurous aspect of this union. Celebrate the unpredictability of how long it may last.

Every athletic director aspires for a football coach to remain in their position for a decade. But Belichick’s time at UNC must be evaluated by different criteria.

His duration is not the crucial aspect. He was brought on board to enhance North Carolina’s competitiveness swiftly — and considering the ACC’s recent weaknesses, there’s a real chance he could achieve that.

If SMU and 41-year-old coach Rhett Lashlee can transition directly from the American Athletic Conference to the ACC and qualify for the College Football Playoff right away, it’s not unrealistic to believe a six-time Super Bowl champion could do the same.

Perhaps Belichick is genuinely in the right place. While the thought of him coaching for Jerry Jones or the Raiders makes for a tantalizing narrative, the more critical inquiry is: What would ultimately enrich Belichick’s legacy more — repeating his past successes or stepping into uncharted territory to elevate a college program to new heights?

The answer is clear. For all that Belichick has achieved in football, just taking North Carolina to the CFP even once would enrich his legacy beyond what another Super Bowl victory ever could.

So why do so many doubt his commitment to North Carolina? Why is the NFL rumor mill so active in attempting to lure him back after previously shunning him as a coaching candidate just last year?

Belichick may not have pictured himself on a college sideline a few months ago, but he is here now. His legacy will be assessed through quality, not just longevity.

North Carolina risked nothing by hiring him. They were an underperforming program stuck in the middle of the ACC without sufficient financial resources to compete at the elite level. Even if Belichick were to return to the NFL next year, the entire mindset of North Carolina has shifted. They have fully committed to football in a way they never have before.

Certainly, every time an NFL position becomes available, Tar Heel fans are likely to feel anxious as Belichick’s name gets thrown into the conversation. Get used to it. It’s an improvement over the complacent and overlooked state North Carolina faced under Mack Brown and many previous coaches.

While Belichick remains at the helm, that sentiment will change. And even if his tenure is short-lived, it’s still an endeavor worth pursuing — NFL rumors and all.