Bill Belichick declines to address reports of split with Jordon Hudson

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick declined to confirm or deny reports that he and Jordon Hudson had ended their romantic relationship during a Monday news conference ahead of the Tar Heels' Week 10 matchup at UConn. Asked about the reports by a WRAL reporter, Belichick responded, "Do you work for a tabloid now?" He then said he would keep his personal relationships private before the discussion returned to football.

TMZ Sports reported over the weekend, before North Carolina's 38-35 defeat to Miami, that the couple had separated last year but continued spending time together. Citing someone close to both, the outlet reported that they remained friends and business partners and that Hudson had started dating other people. Neither Belichick nor Hudson has publicly acknowledged a breakup.

The question followed earlier scrutiny of Hudson's connection to North Carolina's football program. Reports that Belichick wanted her copied on emails had prompted questions about whether she had responsibilities within the team's daily operations. Earlier this season, he told The Wall Street Journal that those reports misrepresented a request concerning his outside commitments.

Belichick explained that when he accepted the North Carolina job in December, he was working on five television shows and a radio show and had a book forthcoming. He said he asked for requests involving personal appearances to be forwarded to Hudson so those engagements could be coordinated outside the university. He denied that the arrangement involved university business or required her inclusion on every email, and dismissed suggestions that she was seeking to become the team's general manager.

On the field, North Carolina is 4-4 in Belichick's second season. The program has also dealt with an investigation into its culture and climate involving general manager Michael Lombardi and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, the head coach's son. Lombardi resigned on Sept. 3 after spending four weeks on administrative leave.

Steve Belichick had been on medical leave since Aug. 6. His resignation took effect Oct. 27, following the investigation's conclusion. Bill Belichick was not found to have committed wrongdoing and said earlier this season that the program would maintain high standards and address areas where it could improve.

The head coach is in the second year of a five-year contract worth $50 million. That agreement requires him to encourage compliance and maintain institutional control, including adherence to university, NCAA and ACC rules. In discussing the investigation earlier this season, Belichick said the program had met with outside counsel and others involved to finalize the process.