Bill Belichick Joins ACC Network for CFP National Championship Coverage in Miami
The ACC Network is going all-in for the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami, and they’re bringing a coaching legend with them. Bill Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach and current North Carolina staffer, is set to join ACCN’s on-site coverage as a special guest analyst.
Yes, that Bill Belichick.
From Jan. 17-19, ACC Network will roll out three straight days of live programming from South Florida, and Belichick’s presence brings a heavyweight perspective to the table. He’ll join the network’s flagship football show, ACC Huddle, where he’ll break down what it takes to prepare for a championship game, manage in-game adjustments, and execute under the brightest lights in college football.
Belichick won’t be alone. He’ll be teaming up with a deep bench of analysts that includes former head coaches Mark Richt and Jimbo Fisher, as well as ACCN regulars Eric Mac Lain, Eddie Royal, EJ Manuel, Roddy Jones, and Tom Luginbill. Together, they’ll provide wall-to-wall coverage of the Miami Hurricanes’ quest for a national title on their home turf.
Saturday: Media Day Access and Early Analysis
The coverage kicks off Saturday, Jan. 17, at 9 a.m. ET with ACC Huddle: Miami Media Day, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the CFP Media Day from the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Taylor Tannebaum leads the broadcast from Hard Rock Stadium, joined by Jimbo Fisher and Eddie Royal. Meanwhile, Eric Mac Lain, Andrea Adelson, and David Hale will be live on the ground capturing interviews with players and coaches.
This is the first real taste of championship weekend, and it sets the tone for what’s to come-expect a mix of insight, interviews, and a feel for the atmosphere building in Miami.
Sunday: Coaches Take the Stage
Sunday brings the Head Coaches News Conference, where Miami’s Mario Cristobal and Indiana’s Curt Cignetti will preview the title matchup. It’s a chance to hear directly from the two men at the center of it all-Cristobal trying to bring the Hurricanes back to the top, and Cignetti leading a surprise Indiana squad to the national stage.
That night at 8 p.m., ACC Huddle: Championship Preview takes over, with Tannebaum, Mac Lain, Royal, and Fisher breaking down every angle of the Hurricanes-Hoosiers showdown. Immediately after, at 9 p.m., a special edition of the ACC Network Football Podcast will air, hosted by former FSU quarterback EJ Manuel and Georgia Tech alum Roddy Jones, diving deeper into the X’s and O’s.
Monday: Gameday Wall-to-Wall
Championship Monday is where it all comes together. Starting at 5 p.m.
ET, Inside ACCess at the National Championship goes live from Hard Rock Stadium. Andrea Adelson and David Hale will be front and center with the latest updates, storylines, and interviews.
At 6 p.m., the pregame show, ACC Huddle at the National Championship, takes over with 90 minutes of in-depth coverage. Tannebaum will be joined by Mac Lain-who knows a thing or two about playing in this game from his Clemson days-alongside Royal, Fisher, and Belichick. That’s a panel loaded with championship experience and football IQ.
Also featured throughout the evening: Kelsey Riggs Cuff, Tom Luginbill, and Mark Richt, who bring a blend of on-field experience and coaching insight that rounds out the broadcast.
Field Pass: A Sideline Experience Like No Other
Once the game kicks off, fans can switch over to Field Pass with ACC Huddle on ACCN for an alternate viewing experience. This isn’t your typical play-by-play broadcast-it’s a free-flowing, sideline-driven show with real-time reactions from Tannebaum, Mac Lain, Royal, Fisher, and Belichick.
Throughout the playoffs, Field Pass has delivered a unique, ACC-centric lens on the action, often joined by Miami legends like Ray Lewis, Michael Irvin, Gino Torretta, Antrel Rolle, and Edgerrin James. Expect that same energy and insight during the National Championship.
At halftime, Cuff, Luginbill, and Richt will break down the first half, and after the final whistle, ACC Huddle Final Score will wrap it all up with postgame analysis, player interviews, and reaction from the full crew.
Featured Programming: Miami’s Moment
ACC Network is also rolling out several feature stories across championship weekend that tap into the legacy, resurgence, and swagger of the Miami Hurricanes:
- "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE 'U'" - A deep dive into the culture and legacy of Miami football, featuring icons like Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, and Jeremy Shockey. This is about more than wins-it’s about how you win.
- "PERFECT STORM" - Despite a rocky regular season, Miami caught fire at the right time. Wins over Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss have the Hurricanes back home, with a title in reach.
- "ICONS" - From Howard Schnellenberger to today, Miami has always had a seat at the table of college football royalty. A win Monday could mark the start of a new era of dominance.
ACC’s Postseason Statement
The ACC heads into the title game with a strong postseason showing-nine wins, the most of any Power 4 conference, and a .692 winning percentage that leads the field. The conference is also 7-2 against other Power 4 opponents, including a perfect 4-0 mark against the SEC.
It’s been a postseason to remember for the ACC, and a Miami win on Monday would put an exclamation point on a dominant stretch.
What It All Means
With Belichick joining the ACC Network crew, fans are getting more than just commentary-they’re getting a masterclass in football from one of the greatest minds the sport has ever seen. Combine that with the energy of a title game in Miami, a surging Hurricanes team, and a loaded broadcast lineup, and you’ve got the makings of a special weekend.
Whether you’re there for the X’s and O’s, the legacy stories, or just to see if Miami can recapture the magic, ACC Network has you covered from every angle.