For nearly a quarter-century in New England, Bill Belichick had one constant by his side - Berj Najarian. He wasn’t a coordinator, he didn’t call plays, and he wasn’t in the spotlight.
But make no mistake, Najarian was the guy behind the guy. Trusted, connected, and deeply embedded in the day-to-day operations of the Patriots, he was Belichick’s right-hand man through six Super Bowl titles and countless pivotal moments.
Now, after a brief detour, Najarian is back on the market - and all eyes are on Chapel Hill.
Najarian most recently served as chief of staff for Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien, taking that role after Belichick’s departure from the Patriots in January 2024. But with Najarian now leaving BC, the question becomes whether he’ll reunite with Belichick at North Carolina, where the legendary coach has quietly been building his next chapter.
There’s already some smoke here. Back in April, an email from Belichick concerning publicity for his book - which surfaced publicly after being posted online by Jordon Hudson - included “Berj” among the recipients.
That raised a few eyebrows, especially considering Najarian was still working for Boston College at the time, a conference rival to UNC. Whether that email was simply a friendly heads-up or something more collaborative is unclear, but it certainly suggested the lines of communication between the two have remained open.
If Belichick does bring Najarian into the fold at UNC, though, it won’t be without complications.
One of the more intriguing dynamics at play involves Mike Lombardi, now the general manager of North Carolina’s football program. Lombardi and Najarian have history - and not the good kind.
During Lombardi’s stint with the Patriots, multiple staff members reportedly took issue with his presence, and Najarian was among them. Those internal tensions ultimately led to Lombardi’s exit from the organization (though he’s said he left to pursue a writing opportunity).
That past friction could resurface in Chapel Hill, potentially forcing Belichick into a tough decision if Najarian isn’t willing to work alongside Lombardi again.
And make no mistake: Najarian wasn’t just another staffer in New England. He was Belichick’s most trusted lieutenant.
Everything ran through Berj. Back in 2011, ESPN described his role as the point person for the team’s day-to-day operations - a liaison across departments, managing everything from scheduling and internal communications to special projects in coaching and personnel.
He handled Belichick’s off-field agenda with precision, allowing the head coach to focus on football. That level of trust doesn’t come easy, and it’s not easily replaced.
But there’s another layer to this story - one that could complicate any potential reunion even further.
Belichick’s girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, has reportedly taken on a growing role in his professional life. In some ways, she’s stepped into the kind of space Najarian used to occupy - managing aspects of Belichick’s public presence and, according to reports, becoming increasingly involved behind the scenes.
That could create friction if Najarian returns. There’s already been some turbulence, including a controversial FOIA request Hudson allegedly made to UNC, seeking communications between a university administrator and CBS following an interview that cast both her and Belichick in a negative light.
That move raised questions internally and externally, and it’s not hard to imagine Najarian being wary of stepping into that dynamic.
So where does this go?
Najarian is now a free agent, and Belichick is in the midst of reshaping a college program with professional-level structure. Their history suggests a reunion makes sense. But the presence of Lombardi and Hudson could complicate what would otherwise be a seamless fit.
Still, when it comes to Belichick, loyalty and trust matter - and few people have earned more of both than Berj Najarian. If there’s a way to make it work, don’t be surprised if these two are back on the same sideline soon.
The pieces are in motion. Now it’s just a matter of how - or if - they fall into place.