Bill Belichick was a savant on the NFL level now he takes his pedigree from the pros onto the University of North Carolina football program.
Belichick has been called many things throughout his storied career a genius, strategist, dynasty builder.
But in 2025, he’s also the coach fans and analysts are most eager to watch. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit handed the six-time Super Bowl champion his latest accolade in the annual Herbie Awards, naming Belichick the winner of his “Most Excited to See.”
For a coach who spent decades redefining football in New England, this preseason honor is more than a ceremonial nod.
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It signals how much intrigue still surrounds Belichick as he begins his next chapter in college football.
After stepping away from the Patriots, speculation swirled around whether he would ever return to the sidelines. As he turned 73 this year most would have understood if he rode into the sunset from his luxurious career.
The Herbie Award confirms what many already felt and that is the football world isn’t done with Belichick, and Belichick isn’t done with football.
The award is built on anticipation, not past trophies. Herbstreit’s recognition reflects the curiosity of an entire fan base in North Carolina and the curiosity of the rest of the country still wondering how Belichick adapts outside of New England.
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Can his meticulous approach still work at the college level, where offensive fireworks often overshadow defensive dominance? Will he reinvent himself in the same way he reinvented the Patriots dynasty? A lot of questions that will need to be answered in the coming weeks.
Belichick’s legacy is etched in history, but his relevance depends on what happens next. That’s what makes this honor unique. It isn’t about what he’s already accomplished, it’s about what people believe he still might do.
For decades, Belichick set the standard for coaching excellence. Now, he’s once again the center of attention, this time as the league’s one of most anticipated storyline heading into the season.
The Herbie Award didn’t just spotlight this living legend, it reminded everyone that Bill Belichick still has the power to capture football’s imagination.
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