• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Belichick’s UNC Deal Contains Clause That Keeps NFL Speculation Alive

Bill Belichick has signed a five-year, $50 million contract to be the head coach at North Carolina. However, a unique buyout clause could fuel speculation about a return to the NFL.

Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels chancellor Lee Roberts reads a transcript about new head coach Bill Belichicks’ father who served as an assistant coach at New North Carolina Tar Heels new in 1954 at Loudermilk Center for Excellence.
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Bill Belichick’s North Carolina contract has one interesting wrinkle that may keep speculation about him returning to the NFL alive, despite his own words shooting that very idea down.

First things first: Belichick’s deal is for five years through December 2029 and will pay him $10 million annually in base salary and supplement income. The first three years are guaranteed, but the final two are not, effectively making it a three-year, $30 million contract, if UNC wants out within the next 36 months.

But Belichick’s buyout terms are not exactly what you typically find in most college football coaching contracts. 

If Belichick terminates the deal without cause (for example, if he wanted to leave for an NFL job) before June 1, 2025, UNC will be owed $10 million. However, that amount drops to just $1 million if Belichick leaves on or after June 1, 2025. 

At his introductory press conference Thursday, Belichick said he “didn’t come here to leave” when asked whether he would consider returning to the NFL if he is successful with the Tar Heels. “I feel like doing it for a long time,” Belichick, 72, said of his desire to continue coaching. He also called coaching in college a “dream come true.”

Notably, back in 2000, Belichick agreed to become the Jets head coach for one day. He stepped down just before his introductory press conference in New York so he could take the Patriots job.

Only one of the seven NFL teams outside of the Patriots looking for new head coaches last offseason—the Falcons—interviewed Belichick for the job. The six-time Super Bowl–winning head coach was thought to have been interested in finding a new NFL job during this next hiring cycle before making the shocking move to UNC.

Aside from the unique buyout details that will certainly keep Belichick’s name in the NFL zeitgeist, his UNC deal, which is public record, has some other interesting perks:

  • The ability to earn up to an additional $3.5 million each year in performance incentives
  • A courtesy car and membership to Chapel Hill Country Club (initiation costs between $10,000 and $25,000, annual dues are between $5,000 and $10,000)
  • A $16.3 million annual budget for assistant coaches, strength and conditioning staff, and support staff, including the new GM role
  • $13 million in annual revenue sharing dedicated to the football team

That last note is key, as it provides a look into how a Power 4 program plans to allocate funds under the NCAA’s new revenue-sharing model that should begin in 2025. Each school will likely be allowed to pay up to about $22 million total per year to all of the athletes in their departments. For UNC—traditionally a men’s basketball powerhouse—it looks like more than half of that is planned to go to football.

On the GM front, Belichick’s contract also contains language specifying that he can hire someone for the role to a deal that matches the length of Belichick’s and has a compensation level that doesn’t exceed $1.5 million per year. Belichick’s former NFL colleague Michael Lombardi has agreed to become GM, but his contract hasn’t been made public yet.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Breanna Stewart

WNBA Players Call League Proposal For Fixed Salary Cap Inadequate  

The league’s collective bargaining agreement expires in less than four months.
Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Nicholas DeGraves (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston University Terriers during the third period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Commitment Cements College Hockey Supremacy

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State decision signals hockey’s rising stars now prefer NCAA.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
exclusive

CBS, NFL Host James Brown Discussing Contract Extension

The 74-year-old Brown has hosted a record 10 Super Bowl pregame shows.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
A helmt is seen during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

CFB’s Revenue-Sharing Era Muddles Future of NIL, Adds PE Questions

Athletic departments can pay college athletes a combined $20.5 million this year.
July 6, 2025

Revenue-Sharing Chaos Begins as Texas Tech Secures Five-Star OT

The Red Raiders spent more than $10 million in the winter transfer portal.
Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs the ball against West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field.
July 7, 2025

Felix Ojo’s Agent Says Texas Tech Offered $5.1M At Start of Rev-Share..

Texas Tech secured Ojo with a seven-figure NIL commitment.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
July 3, 2025

Everything You Need to Know About EA’s Return to College Basketball Video..

There hasn’t been a college basketball game in more than 15 years.
Ohio State
July 1, 2025

Collectives Funnel $20 Million to College Athletes on Last Day Before Revenue..

Collectives frontloaded payments just before the revenue sharing era begins July 1.
July 1, 2025

Big Ten Commish Still Pushes for 4 Auto CFP Bids in 16-Team..

The conference wants four guaranteed spots in the Playoff.
June 30, 2025

College Sports Revenue-Sharing Underway As More Changes Loom

July 1 marks the first day schools can directly pay players.