After months of swirling speculation, Hall of Fame NFL coach Bill Belichick is finally getting his behind-the-scenes documentary series—but not with the network originally slated to tell his story.
From HBO to Hulu: The Unexpected Shift
Originally, HBO’s Hard Knocks was supposed to follow Belichick’s major transition from the NFL to college football at the University of North Carolina.
It was going to be a big deal, chronicling the 73-year-old’s new chapter in Chapel Hill.
But just as plans were about to be announced, everything got derailed.
According to reports from The New York Times, the plug was pulled because of complications involving Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
She allegedly made demands for content control and even partial ownership of the project—requests that reportedly pushed HBO to walk away entirely.
Hulu Takes the Baton
Now, Hulu is stepping up. According to Front Office Sports, the streaming platform is moving forward with its own docuseries centered on Belichick’s time at UNC.
So far, the details are hush-hush—no confirmed title, no official release date.
Hulu hasn’t issued a statement just yet, but the buzz is already growing.
Jordon Hudson’s Role Still a Big Question
This new Hulu deal could be seen as a win for Hudson, whose involvement with Belichick has sparked widespread controversy—especially after her now-infamous interruption during a CBS Sunday Morning interview.
Viewers saw her call out off-camera, telling producers that her relationship with Belichick wasn’t up for discussion.
That moment quickly became a flashpoint in the media.
Later reports claimed she actually walked out during the interview, causing a 30-minute delay.
CBS eventually included one of her interruptions in the final broadcast, saying it reflected the reality of filming under those circumstances.
Critics and Friends Weigh In
The backlash wasn’t just online chatter. NBA legend Charles Barkley, a close friend of Belichick’s, publicly expressed concern.
He even said he planned to check in with Belichick personally to make sure everything was okay.
Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson went a step further.
In a bold take, he questioned Belichick’s judgment and mental clarity, especially given the level of influence Hudson seemed to wield. “To me, those are bad decisions,” he said.
“It makes him and the university look really bad and question whether or not he is of sound mind.”
The Hard Knocks Fallout
Hudson’s impact wasn’t limited to the CBS interview.
According to The Times, she also tried to exert control over the Hard Knocks production itself.
Days before HBO was set to make its announcement, Hudson allegedly demanded both content approval and a share of the project’s ownership—ultimately leading to the series being scrapped.
So, What About Hulu’s Version?
That’s the big mystery. It’s unclear whether Hudson will have any creative input—or any involvement at all—in Hulu’s version of the series. Given the previous turmoil, the production team will likely tread carefully.
Belichick’s Big College Debut
Drama aside, Belichick is gearing up for a fresh challenge on the field.
His first game as UNC’s head coach kicks off on September 1, when the Tar Heels face off against the TCU Horned Frogs in Chapel Hill.
All eyes will be on that matchup—and on the documentary cameras likely rolling behind the scenes.
More to Come
There’s still a lot to unpack here, and updates are expected as Hulu’s project takes shape.
One thing’s for sure: Belichick’s move to college football is already more dramatic than anyone could’ve predicted.