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Six-Time Super Bowl Winner Bill Belichick, 72, Named UNC Football Coach with $50 Million Deal

Dec 12, 2024, 10:05 PM

Bill Belichick, the 72-year-old, six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, has been appointed as the new head football coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Introduced on Thursday, Belichick expressed his commitment to the program, stating, "I didn't come here to leave." His five-year contract is valued at $50 million, with the first three years ($30 million) fully guaranteed and the final two years not guaranteed. The deal includes a base salary of $1 million per year, supplemented by $9 million annually, up to $3.5 million in performance-based bonuses, a $100,000 annual expense account, and membership at the Chapel Hill Country Club. A buyout clause requires Belichick to pay $10 million if he departs before June 1, 2025, decreasing to $1 million after that date, which some analysts suggest could facilitate an eventual return to the NFL. UNC has allocated $10 million for his assistant coaches and agreed to increase its Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) spending from $4 million to $20 million, signaling an unprecedented investment in the football program. Belichick's contract details are now public due to UNC being a public institution. Belichick will continue his media engagements, including appearances on the Pat McAfee Show and Manning Cast, enhancing the program's visibility. He will not coach UNC in the Fenway Bowl against UConn on December 28. His move to college football has sparked discussions about his ability to adapt to recruiting and the modern collegiate landscape. Despite some skepticism regarding his commitment's longevity, Belichick emphasized his enthusiasm for the new role, remarking that coaching in college is something he "always wanted" to try.