Bill Belichick rejected an NFL coaching offer this offseason after parting ways with the Patriots, it has been revealed.
The 72-year-old sought a head coaching job after splitting with New England - as he interviewed twice with the Falcons - but ultimately didn't land a role to lead a different franchise.
However, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has now shared that he offered Belichick a defensive coordinator role - a position which the legendary coach 'politely' declined.
'I did, I threw it out to him,' Shanahan said on the TK Show podcast with The Athletic's Tim Kawakami. 'He loves football so much that you never know what he ... I can't believe he's not a head coach of a team right now. I know what I would do if I was an owner so that shocks me and the last thing you want to do is insult someone like Bill Belichick.
'But I know he just loves ball in its simplest form, so I threw it all out to him, whatever he wanted to do, [including defensive coordinator]. I was like 'Would you be interested?' And he was very nice and appreciative and he politely turned me down.'
Bill Belichick 'politely' rejected a coaching offer from Kyle Shanahan, the latter said
Belichick and 23-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson have been spotted together this summer
The revelation comes after NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said that Belichick was still 'fully invested' in coaching next season.
Shanahan, who eventually replaced defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with Nick Sorensen after the team's Super Bowl loss, echoed that sentiment as well.
'I'm sure he's going to be back in the league next year, and I could be going against him,' he said.
'He could be in the NFC West. It would have sucked if he came here, and then he was going against us, so that's the stuff you have to be careful about. But he's the best, and I just like talking to him.'
For now, Belichick will focus his energy on his new role with Emmy-winning show 'Inside the NFL', where he'll team up with Ryan Clark, Chad Johnson and Chris Long.
Belichick is 'fully invested' in being a head coach again, according to reporter Tom Pelissero
The weekly program begins on August 30.
While Belichick seems intent on a return to the NFL, an insider previously told the US Sun that his 23-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson is making him 'realize that there is more in life than just football.'
The insider also claimed that Belichick is 'living his best life' as he prepares for a rare NFL season away from the sidelines.
He will also contribute to ESPN's Manningcast of Monday Night Football broadcasts.