Bill Belichick denied girlfriend Jordon Hudson has any influence on his head coaching gig at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“It’s a personal relationship. She doesn’t have anything to do with UNC football,” the legendary NFL coach said on ESPN’s “Sports Center” Tuesday when asked whether recent headlines about their romance will impact his ability to lead the college team.
Belichick then expressed excitement for the forthcoming football season.
The former New England Patriots coach’s relationship with Hudson raised eyebrows after she interrupted his “CBS Sunday Morning” interview when he was asked how they first met.
“We’re not talking about this,” the 24-year-old sternly told interviewer Tony Dokoupil while watching from the side.
Dokoupil mentioned in a voiceover that the former cheerleader was a “constant presence” during the interview.
TMZ later reported that at one point Hudson stormed off the CBS set and wanted Belichick to follow her lead, resulting in a 30-minute delay.
Sources told the outlet that Dokoupil was “spooked” by Hudson’s behavior and tried to wrap the interview quickly.
However, Belichick later defended Hudson, telling Page Six in a statement that he only agreed to talk about his new book, “The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football.”
“Unfortunately, that expectation was not honored during the interview,” he said.
“I was surprised when unrelated topics were introduced, and I repeatedly expressed to the reporter, Tony Dokoupil, and the producers that I preferred to keep the conversation centered on the book.”
Belichick said that Hudson, with whom he shares a “personal and professional relationship,” wanted to “reiterate that point to help refocus the discussion.”
“She was not deflecting any specific question or topic but simply doing her job to ensure the interview stayed on track,” he said.
In the aftermath of the interview, Hudson was reportedly banned from the UNC football facility.
However, a rep for UNC denied the “false reports,” telling Page Six that “she is welcome to the Carolina Football facilities” and “will continue to manage all activities related to Coach Belichick’s personal brand outside of his responsibilities for Carolina Football and the University.”
Nevertheless, Belichick’s family members are reportedly “extraordinarily concerned about what has transpired” between the couple since they took their romance public last year.
