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Several sources claim that University of North Carolina (UNC) football facilities have denied critical access to Jordan Hudson, the 24-year-old girlfriend of iconic football coach Bill Belichick.
As part of the evolving drama related to Hudson and the nickname “Diva,” whom UNC officials believe exerts too much influence over the coach and the football program, she is barred from the football building and the practice field. This information came from ESPN’s Pablo Torre on his May 9 podcast episode, where Torre, using some unnamed sources, claimed that Hudson is prohibited from entering the designated areas.
Belichick recently signed a 5-year, 50 million-dollar deal with UNC and is returning to coaching this fall after a hiatus from the NFL. Their relationship, which has garnered considerable attention, with Hudson being a former college cheerleader and current beauty queen, has drawn the attention of university insiders and some of his family members.
Concerns and Influence on Legacy
The narrative taking off currently suggests angering those close to Belichick the most as they speculate Hudson has a damaging impact bordering on explosive when deciding about his life and future detached from the team. Critics claim her presence will likely conflict with Belichick’s exalted coaching career.
Hudson, who shocked people by joining Belichick in a Dunkin’ Donuts Super Bowl ad, gained prominence as she disrupted a CBS Sunday Morning interview earlier this year. Regardless of the controversies, Belichick, in his new book The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football, credits her as his ‘creative muse.’
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University Responds to Reports
In response to the media frenzy, UNC, via its social media platform, claimed Hudson is not an employee of the university and is, therefore, not officially barred from visiting the campus. The assertion further states that her presence on campus is permitted, albeit her access to restricted areas is not allowed.
The statement added, “Ms. Hudson is not a staff member at UNC and does not hold any working title within the football program so her presence is accepted on campus. However, access to player and staff-only areas is restricted to authorized personnel only.”
Season Ahead for the Tar Heels
Scheduled to direct the Tar Heels in their first contest against TCU on August 29, Belichick will partake in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. As the national spotlight shifts to UNC’s imminent season — coupled with Belichick’s reputation under pressure — the focus direction within the program aims to reduce off-field disturbances, which has been the on-field goal.
The coach has hired a public relations team to manage his growing media presence as he openly steps into a public role during his post-NFL career, which is ironic considering how they used to avoid the press for most of his life.