Belichick bars Patriots scouts at UNC in reciprocal move

Bill Belichick confirmed Saturday that he has barred New England Patriots scouts from visiting the University of North Carolina football facilities, saying the move is reciprocal after he concluded he is no longer welcome at the Patriots complex. The announcement, made after UNC’s 20-3 victory over Charlotte in Chapel Hill on Sept. 6, revived a falling-out between the six-time Super Bowl winner and his former team less than a year after he left New England to take the Tar Heels job.

"It is clear I am not welcome there around their facility, and so they are not welcome at ours," Belichick told reporters. The Athletic and other outlets earlier reported a Patriots scout was denied entry to a UNC practice in August. UNC sources quoted in those accounts blamed strained relations between Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft for the decision, saying, "Why would we let them in our home after how he’s been treated since he left?"

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, who played under Belichick in New England, downplayed the dispute on Monday, calling the UNC policy an "individual choice" and saying New England will "find other ways to get the information" on any players it wants to evaluate....