Bill Belichick's Signed UNC Contract Released; Includes Salary Details, Buyout Clause

The University of North Carolina released details regarding head football coach Bill Belichick's contract Thursday.

ESPN's Pete Thamel posted snippets of the contract on X, showing that Belichick signed a five-year deal which will pay him $10 million annually:

Thamel also posted the termination clause, which requires Belichick to pay UNC $10 million if he terminates their agreement before June 1, 2025, but only $1 million if the termination occurs on June 1 or later:

There are also several bonuses worked into Belichick's deal, including payments for an ACC title game appearance and win, bowl game appearances, College Football Playoff appearances and finishes inside the Associated Press Top 25 Poll:

Should UNC win a national championship under Belichick's guidance, he will earn an extra $1.75 million.

Belichick, 72, is arguably the greatest head coach in NFL history. He led the New England Patriots to a record six Super Bowl wins during his time with the organization from 2000 to 2023.

When taking into account his five seasons as head coach of the Cleveland Browns as well, Belichick owns a career NFL regular-season coaching record of 302-165. He also went 31-13 in the playoffs.

After the Pats went 4-13 and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year in 2023, Belichick and the Patriots parted ways. Belichick tried to land another NFL head coaching job immediately after, but he wasn't hired.

While it was expected that he would re-enter the pool of head coaching candidates at the end of the 2024 campaign, he instead decided to join the college ranks, agreeing to become the Tar Heels' next head coach last month.

Belichick began his coaching career in 1975 with the Baltimore Colts, but he has never coached at the collegiate level until now.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported last week that Belichick technically hadn't signed his UNC contract yet, leading to speculation that Belichick could leave and land an NFL job if the opportunity were to arise.

North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi later shot down the idea, saying Belichick's "focus is on North Carolina football, hiring staff members and developing the team," and that the NFL "isn't an option."

There are still four head coaching vacancies in the NFL, although all of them figure to be filled in the coming weeks.

The language of Belichick's contract and the timing of the NFL hiring cycle makes it seem likely that he will coach at UNC for at least the 2025 season. But given that his buyout is only $1 million after June 1, he could potentially leave after one season if an NFL head coaching opportunity arises at the end of the 2025 season.

Until then, Belichick will attempt to get the Tar Heels back on track after a disappointing 6-7 showing in 2024.