WRAL’s newest documentary, "Coaching Carolina: The Belichick Way," reveals how the University of North Carolina landed Bill Belichick, arguably the greatest football coach of all time, and what unfolded next.

Produced by WRAL Documentary Investigator Cristin Severance and WRAL Photojournalist Dwayne Myers, the documentary uncovers the real story behind one of the most unlikely and consequential hires in college athletics.

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WRAL reporters prepare to question Bill Belichick

"Coaching Carolina" takes viewers inside the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that brought Belichick to Chapel Hill. We show how the hire happened, who pushed it forward, and why UNC decided it needed to go all-in on football.

Belichick’s arrival marked the beginning of a new and complicated chapter. This documentary uncovers internal strains, the difficulties of integrating an NFL legend into a college locker room, and heightened media attention about Belichick’s personal life, specifically the role of his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.

Bill Belichick, head football coach, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

“The documentary has it all: drama, dueling coach searches and a landscape changing by the minute. It was fascinating to put it all together and examine if this big swing will pay off or be a big miss,” says WRAL Documentary Investigator Cristin Severance.

"Coaching Carolina" features interviews with some of the most respected voices in the sport, including NFL analyst Boomer Esiason, Wes Durham (the Voice of the ACC, ESPN/ACC Network), and national college football writer Stewart Mandel.

Their perspective, combined with in-depth analysis from Brian Murphy, WRAL Investigative Sports Reporter; Pat Welter, WRAL Sports Anchor/Reporter; and Chris Lea, WRAL Sports Anchor/Reporter, offers unmatched insight into the forces reshaping college football and the significance of UNC’s bold decision.

"Coaching Carolina: The Belichick Way" delivers the definitive look at one of the most compelling chapters in UNC sports history.

WRAL's Pat Welter and Cristin Severance reporting on the UNC-CH campus

Broadcast Premieres:

  • WRAL: Thursday, Dec. 18 from 7:30–8:00 p.m.
    • FOX 50: Sunday, Dec. 21 from 6:30–7:00 p.m.

      World Digital Premiere:

      The documentary will also receive a world digital premiere, streaming exclusively on the WRAL streaming app, WRAL.com, and WRAL’s YouTube channel beginning Friday, Dec. 19, making the film accessible to viewers worldwide..