Paul Finebaum calls out Bill Belichick for ‘playing second fiddle’ to Jordon Hudson

Bill Belichick’s tenure at the University of North Carolina has been marred with controversy thanks to his highly publicized relationship with girlfriend Jordon Hudson. And on Friday, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum wasn’t afraid to make light of just how concerning Hudson’s involvement in the UNC program could be to the team’s chances in 2025.

Previewing the 2025 college football season on Friday’s edition of First Take, Finebaum included UNC’s first year under Belichick as one of his three biggest storylines in the sport. And much of that is due to just how involved Hudson has been in the UNC program leading up to the season, with Finebaum claiming that Belichick has even “played second fiddle” to Hudson.

“Also, there is Bill Belichick,” said Finebaum while discussing the ACC. “Anybody heard of this guy? He’s only the most famous NFL coach of all-time this side of Vince Lombardi. But lately, he has played second fiddle to his girlfriend. I can’t believe I am actually saying that, but I am. And that is a story that is really intriguing everyone. How does he do on the field? Mack Brown did not leave a great cupboard in Chapel Hill. And I think Belichick has recruited well. Can he navigate the nuances of college football? That is really the question.”

.@finebaum‘s top three CFB storylines ⬇️

🤔 What’s the pulse of the ACC with Clemson and UNC?
🍿 Will Georgia and Alabama bounce back?
😯 Is Arch Manning the best college QB since Tim Tebow? pic.twitter.com/R6FlCDs8sx

— First Take (@FirstTake) July 11, 2025

Finebaum’s assessment, while perhaps a bit harsh, also isn’t all that inaccurate.

Whether it be railroading Belichick’s interview with CBS Sunday Morning back in April or playing an “instrumental” part in the UNC program opting not to take part in HBO’s planned Hard Knocks project, it’s hard to argue that Hudson hasn’t overshadowed Belichick within his own program, whether that was intentional or not.

Whether this will affect the Tar Heels’ play on the field this coming season obviously remains to be seen. But clearly, at least Finebaum seems to believe that Belichick’s public perception may have taken a bit of a hit early on in his venture at UNC thanks to his girlfriend.