Bill Belichick has already been on the recruiting trail, but it’s officially official that he is North Carolina’s next football coach after signing his contract.
And it is a contract with eye-catching numbers.
The Tar Heels released Belichick’s deal, which runs through the end of 2029, on Thursday. The 72-year-old will earn $10 million per season, although his official base salary is $1 million.
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New North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
The other $9 million will come from what is described as “supplemental income.”
Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, immediately becomes one of the 10 highest-paid head coaches in college football. Seven coaches earned $10 million or more in 2024, according to USA Today.
The highest paid coach in the country is Georgia’s Kirby Smart at over $13 million per season. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney ($11.13 million), Texas’ Steve Sarkisian ($10.6 million), USC’s Lincoln Riley ($10.043 million) and Ohio State’s Ryan Day ($10.021 million), fresh off a national championship win, round out the top five.
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Like many contracts, Belichick’s has incentives that would trigger massive paydays if met, including a $750,000 bonus if the Tar Heels reach the College Football Playoff. If they win a national title, Belichick will receive a $1.75 million bonus.
Other incentives include a $150,000 bonus for reaching a bowl game as well as a $350,000 bonus if the team makes an “elite” non-playoff bowl. These would include the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Gator Bowl, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and a few others.
New North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
Finally, a top 25 finish at the end of the regular season will also trigger a $250,000 bonus for Belichick. And he wants his $350,000 bonus for an elite bowl game if the Tar Heels finish in the Top 25.
There is also confirmation that Belichick has a buyout clause, which was widely reported as North Carolina’s stipulation should he leave for a job in the NFL. If Belichick leaves UNC by June 1, the university will owe $10 million. After 1 June, the free buy-out drops to DKK 1 million.
But despite several NFL teams reportedly reaching out to Belichick, he said during his introductory press conference that he is in Chapel Hill to stay.
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick answers questions during a news conference at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
He’s already showing his commitment to the program by hitting the road and talking to recruits as he aims to build a playoff roster through the new NIL system.
