“That’s how people get clicks,” St. Cyr says, remembering some wisdom Hudson shared — but they were determined to keep their heads high.

UNC has invested way too much in Belichick and his program — $20 million in staff salaries alone — to turn around and dismantle it six months later.

“It’s just so odd,” said a UNC official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the coach’s personal relationship.