The staggering amount Bill Belichicks UNC program spent on balloons as Jordon Hudson loomed over season

Bill Belichick’s UNC coaching debut was marred by a 48-14 loss to TCU back in September — but a massive balloon arch served as a distraction from the lopsided outcome in his postgame press conference.At the time, many assumed the massive display, which included an arch of blue, black and white balloons with silver stars, was the work of Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, whose hands-on role in his career outside of football made headlines in his first year at Chapel Hill.The total budget for UNC’s football balloons in the 2024-25 season was $48,733, according to FOIAball.com.The aforementioned 25-foot garland with the starburst add-ons reportedly runs $27 a foot from one of UNC’s preferred balloon vendors, as well as a 20 percent installation and delivery fee, bringing the total cost of about $800.FOIAball.com included a spreadsheet that reported 2024 balloon spending for other schools, revealing that Texas has a $170,489 budget for balloons across all athletics.Although it’s unclear, many were convinced Hudson was behind the balloon decor.The former cheerleader at Bridgerwater State University, whose romance with Belichick was first revealed in 2024, watched the season-opener from a suite at Kenan Memorial Stadium, where she was seen beside NFL legend Randy Moss.“We played competitively but then just couldn’t sustain it,” Belichick, 73, said after the game.

“Obviously, we have a lot of work to do.We need to do a better job all the way around — coaching, playing, all three phases of the game.”UNC finished at a disappointing 4-8 mark and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2018.On Friday, the Tar Heels’ football coach fired offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer.Belichick’s first year at the collegiate level was engulfed with rumors about his future with the program and allegations of a toxic locker room environment.To make matters worse, Belichick and Hudson made headl...