Bill Belichick’s next coaching venture will not be in the NFL. The legendary six-time Super Bowl-winning coach has been named the new head coach of the University of North Carolina’s football team, pending approval from the board of trustees and board of governors. The university made the announcement on Wednesday night.
In a statement shared by the school on social media, Belichick expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying, “I am excited for the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill. I grew up around college football with my dad and treasured those times. I have always wanted to coach in college and now I look forward to building the football program in Chapel Hill.”
Bill Belichick has amassed 333 career victories, including postseason games, which leaves him just 14 wins short of Don Shula’s record for the most victories by an NFL head coach. After 23 seasons with the New England Patriots, Belichick was not retained for the 2024 season. Despite being a finalist for the Atlanta Falcons’ head coaching position, he did not secure any other coaching roles during the offseason.
The Athletic reported that Bill Belichick’s contract with the University of North Carolina is a five-year deal worth $50 million. However, the official announcement from the school confirmed only the five-year duration of the agreement. The complete contract details and terms will eventually be accessible through public records requests as part of the college football coaches’ salary database.
The growing interest between Bill Belichick and the University of North Carolina was first reported last week. On Monday, during his regular appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Belichick, as usual, kept his comments brief. He mentioned having “a couple of good conversations” with Chancellor Lee H. Roberts but declined to share many details about the discussions.
Belichick shared his vision for a college football program, emphasizing that it would operate like a professional team, with a focus on nutrition, strength and conditioning, and player development. “I think many college football programs are being structured similarly to pro programs,” Belichick explained.
Since leaving the Patriots, Belichick has been actively involved in NFL media. In addition to his regular appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show,” he is also a frequent guest on the “ManningCast” for “Monday Night Football.” He co-hosts a preview show with Peyton Manning on ESPN and appears weekly as a cast member on “Inside the NFL.”
Bill Belichick has never coached at the college level. His coaching career began in 1974 as a special assistant with the Baltimore Colts, and he later worked with the Denver Broncos before joining the New York Giants in 1980. His first Super Bowl victory came as the defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells with the Giants, and he became a head coach for the Cleveland Browns in 1991, just before turning 40.
Belichick’s father, Steve Belichick, was a long-time coach at the United States Naval Academy during Bill’s childhood. Before his time at the Naval Academy, Steve also coached at the University of North Carolina. On the “McAfee Show,” a photo was shown of young Bill Belichick sitting in the bleachers at Kenan Stadium.
Bill Belichick’s son, Steve Belichick, currently serves as the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington. He is expected to join his father’s coaching staff at UNC, following in the footsteps of his brother, Brian, who also worked with Bill Belichick at the Patriots. While reports last week suggested Steve could be named coach-in-waiting, the university has not yet made any official announcement on the matter.
At 72, Belichick becomes the oldest head coach in college football, surpassing the previous record-holder, Mack Brown. Brown, who was fired by UNC on November 26, coached the Tar Heels in two separate stints and led Texas to a national title in 2006.
Over the weekend, some of Belichick’s former players from New England, including Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, and Rob Gronkowski, dismissed the idea of him transitioning to college football.
However, with the rise of name, image, and likeness (NIL) funding and the transfer portal, college football programs are becoming more like NFL teams.
As part of the negotiations with Belichick, the university agreed to significantly increase its NIL funding, from $4 million to $20 million, according to a source familiar with the situation. The contract is not yet finalized, so the source spoke anonymously.
Belichick’s sixth Super Bowl victory came at the end of the 2018 season. After Tom Brady left the team in 2020, the Patriots made the playoffs just once. Following a disappointing 4-13 record in 2023, Belichick was replaced by Jerod Mayo, and New England is currently 3-10 this season.
Mayo spoke highly of Belichick on Monday during an appearance on Boston radio station WEEI. “He is a great coach,” Mayo said. “And to me, it doesn’t matter if you’re a young player or a 10-year veteran; he’s an excellent teacher. I wish him nothing but the best. I believe he’ll be successful at any level.”
