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The biggest winners and losers from Bill Belichick joining North Carolina as its coach

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts on the sidelines in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775676569 ORIG FILE ID: 1363694930
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts on the sidelines in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775676569 ORIG FILE ID: 1363694930

This story has been updated.

Former NFL coach Bill Belichick has been hired by North Carolina as its next head coach, and there are winners and losers with the hiring.

Belichick joining the Tar Heels leaves two obvious winners in the process, but who are the other winners and losers at play?

As we survey North Carolina, the NFL and the ACC, we've tallied some winners and losers we feel have emerged from this very unlikely pairing of coach and program.

Let's take a look at who they are and why they fall on either side of the equation.

Winner: Bill Belichick

(FILES) Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrates after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Belichick, the NFL mastermind who has guided the New England Patriots to a record six Super Bowl titles as head coach, is parting ways with the team after 24 seasons, according to multiple US media reports on January 11, 2024. (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 694911629 ORIG FILE ID: 1917174689

Belichick got the coaching job he clearly wanted. He's going to arrive in Chapel Hill as a knight in shining armor, brandishing all of his Super Bowl rings and brand power. We have no idea if this will work out like Belichick wants it to, but he wins because he's got his second chance to coach.

Winner: North Carolina

Sep 7, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie (5) reacts after recovering a fumble in the 1st quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie (5) reacts after recovering a fumble in the 1st quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

As much as this could be an unmitigated disaster for UNC, the attention economy is going to boost the Tar Heels up into the college football limelight. Good high school players will become immediately intrigued about the prospect of playing for a legend like Belichick, particularly for what he could do to their draft stock. North Carolina is going to be at the center of college football again. That's a win. Whether or not this win ages well will depend on how Belichick does on the field.

Winner: Steve Belichick

Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (left) and Steve Belichick, linebackers coach (right) watch the in stadium displays during the first half of a preseason against the Carolina Panthers game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (left) and Steve Belichick, linebackers coach (right) watch the in stadium displays during the first half of a preseason against the Carolina Panthers game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

If Steve Belichick joins Bill Belichick in North Carolina as his defensive coordinator, it's very possible (if not likely) he'll have the inside track to take over for his dad one day as the Tar Heels head coach. That's a big win in our book.

Loser: Any NFL team that wanted to hire Belichick

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws the ball during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws the ball during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

If you're a struggling NFL team (like the Jacksonville Jaguars) that wanted to hire Belichick, he's off the board. That might be a saving grace for said teams. It might sting in the interim.

Loser: Josh McDaniels

Oct 30, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels looks at the score board during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels looks at the score board during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

McDaniels becoming an NFL offensive coordinator again probably depended on Belichick taking another job in the big leagues. We're sure Belichick would love to have him at the college level as UNC's offensive coordinator, but we're not sure any NFL teams will come calling this offseason.

Loser: Dabo Swinney

Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney reacts after a call by an official a during the first quarter of the 2024 Aflac Kickoff Game against the Georgia Bulldogs Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-882814 ORIG FILE ID: 20240831_gma_usa_0012.jpg
Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney reacts after a call by an official a during the first quarter of the 2024 Aflac Kickoff Game against the Georgia Bulldogs Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-882814 ORIG FILE ID: 20240831_gma_usa_0012.jpg

Swinney's stubbornly old-school approach to the transfer portal and college football in general could take a massive hit if Belichick enters the ACC and embraces the new ways. Even though Clemson just won the conference, Tiger fans will turn up the heat if Belichick strikes gold at UNC and Swinney's team takes a step back next fall for continued refusal to adapt to the modern landscape. If Belichick does it, why can't Swinney?

Winners: UNC athletes knowing about this ahead of the transfer portal opening

Oct 5, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) with the ball after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Oct 5, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) with the ball after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

If you're a current UNC football player and didn't want to play for Belichick, you have a golden opportunity to hit the transfer portal and join a different team. If the Patriot Way sounds awful to you, now's your chance to get out of Dodge before Belichick comes to town.

Loser: NC State coach Dave Doeren

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Dave Doeren of the NC State Wolfpack looks on prior to their game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Dave Doeren of the NC State Wolfpack looks on prior to their game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

Doeren is about to have his biggest rivalry game measured against one of the greatest coaches of all time. If he can't get the Wolfpack going during the era of Belichick's Tar Heels, he could find himself in hot water. In-state recruiting is going to get harder with Belichick in the area, too.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: The biggest winners and losers from Bill Belichick joining North Carolina as its coach