Rob Gronkowski makes bold prediction about Bill Belichick's career, rips Patriots for 'ugly' Jerod Mayo firing

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When Bill Belichick became the head coach at the University of North Carolina, he adamantly said he did not go there "to leave."

However, one of his former players, Rob Gronkowski, disagrees.

Belichick, after being off an NFL sideline for the first time in nearly 50 years, agreed last month to become the next head coach at UNC, saying it was a dream fulfilled to get into the college ranks.

However, Belichick has obviously found his success with the National Football League, and Gronk believes Belichick still has his eyes on returning home.

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Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski celebrates his 16-yard touchdown reception with head coach Bill Belichick during the AFC divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Jan. 16, 2016. (Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

When asked during a recent interview with Fox News Digital whether he believed Belichick would retire as a Tar Heel, he said he did not think so. 

"I think if Bill has success, he's gonna eventually hand that program off to his son, whose son is just developing to be a future head coach," Gronkowski said. "Love his son, and he's doing a great job in the defensive ranks of college… So I believe that Coach Belichick will have some good success at UNC, but I believe that his heart truly belongs in the NFL ranks, and he's eventually gonna go back to the NFL if it's in three years or four years. But I think he ends his career coaching as a head coach for an NFL team."

Belichick coached the New England Patriots for 24 seasons, winning six Super Bowls during his tenure – three of those