Bill Belichick: From Bon Jovi in Dublin to college football

Michael Bolton

From winning six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick has plenty of experience in getting it right on the biggest stage.

Although he admitted his knowledge of soccer was not the best, he had a message of good luck for Heimir Hallgrímsson and the Ireland team ahead of the play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic.

“Obviously, they are a very good team to get this far, so you’ve got to rely on the things that have gotten you to where you are.

“I guess my advice would be: keep the ball out of your net. Start with that.”

Belichick was speaking ahead of the Aer Lingus College Classic at the Aviva Stadium in August, where his North Carolina side faces TCU.

His last visit to Dublin was in the 90s, where a concert saw him travel over the Atlantic.

“I was in Dublin for a Bon Jovi concert,” said Belichick, placing the year as 1994 or 1995. “It was quite a festive atmosphere in the summer. It was right after the 4th of July. Spent a couple of nights there and listened to Jon rock the city.”

It has been a year in which Bill Belichick has been in the headlines for non-sporting reasons.

Last month, it emerged that Belichick would not be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility despite his credentials.

His relationship with 24-year-old Jordan Hudson has been a high-profile saga, played out in the glare of social media.

His first season in charge of college football also did not go to plan, as North Carolina ended the season with a 4-8 record. This brought criticism in the US as questions were asked if he was suited to manage college football.

When in front of the media, he was focused on the season ahead.

“I'm focused on coaching this team and focused on getting Carolina football to the highest level I can. I focus about what I can do, and things that are out of my control, I don't worry about."

When North Carolina comes to Ireland in August, there will be further Irish interest, as Down native Adam McCann Gibbs could make his debut for his side.

However, Belichick says if that will be the case, he will have to earn his place.

“Well, we saw his workout from some of the coaching videos that he had. He's got a big leg and certainly seems to have the ability to perform at this level. But he's never played American football.

“So we'll see. These practises will be very important for him this spring to see how he acclimates to our style of kicking, a little different ball and so forth. He'll have a great opportunity to earn that playing time opportunity. But there are other people who'd be competing with, and we'll see how all that plays out."

At this point in his life, with so much success and his impact left on the sport, it could have been very easy for Belichick to relax at the age of 73.

So what motivates him to keep going?

“I love football, football’s been very good to me and my family, any time I can give back to the game, whether it be on the field or, in this case, promoting the game internationally, I’m happy to do it. I have an obligation and responsibility to do it because of how good football has been to me.”

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the years I’ve been able to coach. I enjoy the game, I enjoy teaching our players, I look forward to every day I come in to work. Honestly, it beats working.”

Tickets for the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic are on general sale at ticketmaster.ie/collegefootball.