Bill Belichick, 72, and girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 24, stun on the red carpet after shock North Carolina interview

Bill Belichick is popping up in all sorts of unexpected places.

Hours after it was revealed that the long-time NFL head coach interviewed for the opening at the University of North Carolina, the 72-year-old Belichick was joined by 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson at Thursday’s American Museum of Natural History gala in New York.

The event featured a performance by Arcade Fire and appearances by Scarlett Johansson and Alec Baldwin. Belichick and Hudson blended in at the black-tie affair with the future Hall of Famer in a traditional tuxedo and his date flaunting her thigh in a high-cut matching black dress.

Both Hudson and Belichick have been a topic du jour on social media after the latter’s reported interview for the coaching job at North Carolina. The former New England Patriots head coach has never worked at the college level, so news of the interview naturally prompted a few jokes about his grad-school-aged girlfriend.

'Belichick is just trying to find some college girls to date,' one fan wrote on X, echoing a joke made by countless others.

'His girlfriend committed to UNC?' asked another.

One fan remarked Belichick would take the job to be 'closer to his girlfriend.'

The legendary Patriots coach has been away from the sidelines since he and New England parted ways in January after 24 seasons. 

But according to Inside Carolina , Belichick has now interviewed for UNC's head-coaching job, in what would be a surprising return route back to football. The report comes after the Tar Heels fired previous coach Mack Brown.

The 72-year-old has been dating Hudson, a former college cheerleader, for several months now, sparking rumors the couple could be heading for marriage despite their half-century age gap.

Belichick has never coached at the college level, although his son, Stephen, is currently the defensive coordinator for the University of Washington. It's unclear if Belichick's potential move to Chapel Hill could result in a position for Stephen, who previously coached under his father in Foxborough.

Furthermore, UNC is known more for its storied basketball program than its football program, and the Tar Heels have not produced double-digit wins in a season since 2015.

Inside Carolina added that Belichick is one of several candidates who have been interviewed for the role, including Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall and Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann.

Belichick interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job after departing the Patriots earlier in 2024. He was also offered a chance to be the 49ers' defensive coordinator by San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan before declining the position.

Ultimately, he found himself without a coaching job for this season and has instead filled his time with various media roles, including appearances on ESPN's Monday Night Football 'Manningcast' and 'Inside the NFL' on the CW.

ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported that Belichick was expected to be 'choosy' in picking out a potential next job.

Belichick was the Patriots de facto GM in addition to his coaching duties, and had an immense amount of power and influence in New England.

If Belichick prefers to return to the NFL over trying his hand in the college ranks, there are expected to be plenty of open jobs, as Sports Illustrated reporter Albert Breer predicted on the Dan Patrick Show that there will be 7-10 head coaching vacancies.

The Jets, Saints and Bears have already fired their coaches, while the Jaguars, Giants and Cowboys could follow suit.