Prior to accepting the head coaching job at the University of North Carolina, former New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick reached out to the Jets to express interest and gauge reciprocal interest in their head coaching position, SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes confirmed.

However, there was no formal interview or conversation because the opportunity at UNC popped up.

Of course, Belichick and the Jets have a long history. He served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells from 1997-99 and was hired by NY as head coach in January of 2000, only to resign a day later to take the Patriots job. Belichick would go on to win six Super Bowls in New England, owning a 266-121 record over 24 seasons.

New York fired head coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8 after a 2-3 start to the 2024 season that had such high expectations. The Jets have gone 1-7 since defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich took over as the interim head coach.

The Jets are now in the midst of their fourth head coaching search in the past decade. Former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has reportedly expressed interest in the job, and current Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has been mentioned as a “darkhorse candidate” for the Jets’ job.

New York’s head coaching search is expected to be thorough and they will talk to assistants, those with experience, etc. when timing permits, Hughes notes. The Jets understand they have to get this hire right and will not rush through the hiring process.