The NFL media commentariat lost an emerging star, age 72, last week when Bill Belichick became head coach of the University of North Carolina, ending his brief gig as an analyst with several outlets.

Belichick, his tongue loosened by media paychecks, excelled at explaining the “why” behind plays, NFL trends and this season’s ebb and flow.

Succinct and spare with jargon, he was a football lover’s delight.

He drew upon his extraordinary NFL coaching career that began in 1975, when he worked as a special assistant under Baltimore Colts head coach Ted Marchibroda, and ran through last January when he directed the New England Patriots.

Contrary to his persona, Belichick didn’t come off as cranky. He meshed with his three much younger colleagues, each one a former NFL player, on the “Inside the NFL” show that airs weekly on the NFL Network and the CW Network.

“I told all of my Pittsburgh Steelers old teammates that, the worst revelation in 2024 is, I actually like Bill Belichick,” Ryan Clark, a former Steelers safety, said last week in the final episode with his former AFC rival.

It may be awhile before another media analyst approaches Belichick’s depth of football expertise. Belichick got a head start from his father, Steve Belichick, a former Detroit Lions fullback who worked 50 years with the Naval Academy under seven head coaches.

The elder Belichick was known for his meticulous scouting reports of opponents.

Bill’s historical knowledge infused refreshing context into his media work — such as when he showed how a vexing screen-play design by Chiefs coach Andy Reid originated with Don Coryell and the old San Diego Chargers. Belichick juxtaposed grainy black-and-white clips from Mission Valley against recent Chiefs plays.

As for this year’s Super Bowl race, Belichick dug into the defensive revival of the Philadelphia Eagles, who have won 10 consecutive games.

“The defensive line, last year, they didn’t look like they were in good condition at all,” he said. “This year, these guys are roaring.”

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter drew high praise from Belichick, who won two Super Bowls as a coordinator with the New York Giants.

Belichick cued up “All-22” video of Carter knocking massive blockers off balance with a legal but violent club-like blow to a shoulder. The coach, not easily impressed, marveled that Carter, at 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds, can cover a lot of ground fast and cap with such a stunning blow. The analysis resonated with Belichick’s colleague Chris Long, a former defensive end who won Super Bowls with the 2016 Patriots and the 2017 Eagles.

“His club is so violent; it really is,” Long said. “He’s going to make a lot of money off that move.”

Drawing no dissent from Belichick, Long said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has built the NFL’s best roster.

Belichick’s rapport with several former star players paid off for football lovers, too. Rodney Harrison, the former Chargers and Patriots safety, was asked by Clark, Belichick and colleagues which current NFL defender he’d pick if a tackle had to be made. Harrison chose Chargers safety Derwin James Jr.

Harrison’s pointed explainer brought no argument from Belichick and Co.

“Last year when Brandon Staley had (James) playing 25 yards deep, playing in Cover 2, in the deep middle part of the field, it absolutely drove me crazy,” he said. “Because I know the impact I had when Coach Belichick put me closer to the line of scrimmage.”

Belichick joining the media, as one would expect, didn’t transform the gruff old coach into a sensationalist. He was asked about the recent flap stirred up by Eagles receiver A.J. Brown. Asked after in a recent postgame interview where the offense can be improved, Brown said just one word — passing. A firestorm followed, with pundits speculating that Brown was expressing displeasure with quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Belichick, succinct again, shared a piece of enduring “advice” he gave his players and coaches.

“Never miss an opportunity to shut up,” he said.

So long, Hoodie. You’ll be missed.

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