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Bill Belichick Becomes UNC Head Coach with $50M Deal, Vows "I Didn't Come Here to Leave"

Dec 12, 2024, 11:31 PM

Bill Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, has been hired as the new head coach for the University of North Carolina football team. He was formally introduced at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, where he expressed his commitment to the program, stating, "I didn't come here to leave." UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts presented Belichick with a custom gray hoodie bearing the blue interlocking "NC" logo, a nod to his signature NFL attire. Recalling a story his father told, Belichick shared that his first words were, "Beat Duke!" Belichick's contract is a five-year deal worth $50 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football and doubling the salary of his predecessor, Mack Brown. At $10 million per year, he currently stands as the sixth-highest-paid coach at a public school for the 2025-26 season. The contract includes a buyout clause that drops from $10 million to $1 million after June 1, 2025, potentially allowing him to return to the NFL. Before accepting the job, Belichick consulted with UNC legends Michael Jordan and Lawrence Taylor. He also cited Jedd Fisch's program at Washington as a template for how he plans to run the UNC program. Emphasizing his passion for coaching and teaching, he said, "Taking a year off reminded me how much I love the game." His immediate priorities include focusing on the transfer portal, roster research, and recruiting as he transitions to the college game. Many in the football world have reacted to the hire, with some expressing optimism that UNC could become "the next Alabama" under his leadership, while others remain skeptical about his ability to adapt to college football.