The details of Bill Belichick’s staggering $50million deal to become the University of North Carolina’s new head coach have been revealed – and it could be a lot easier for the 72-year-old to return to the NFL than expected.
Belichick inked a five-year deal to become the next UNC head coach on Wednesday after holding a shock interview with the school last week.
The veteran coach has had been out of work since calling time on his legendary 24-year reign as New England Patriots head coach at the start of the year and failing to land a top gig elsewhere around the NFL.
But a path back to the pros may be lot easier and come a lot sooner than many fans would imagine.
It emerged Thursday afternoon, following Belichick’s press conference, that the coach has a $10m buyout clause – but only until June 2025, according to Chris Vannini.
Following the first six months of his contract that figure will drop to $1m on June 1, 2025 before his first college football season has even begun.
Bill Belichick inked a $50million deal to become the University of North Carolina’s new coach
The 72-year-old had been out of work since calling time on his legendary reign in New England
The dramatic decrease means Belichick could easily escape his contract with a mere $1m if an NFL team comes calling in the offseason without ever standing on the sidelines in Chapel Hill.
However, although his escape route is easily accessible, that doesn’t necessarily mean Belichick is going to take it.
During his introductory press conference on Thursday, Belichick was asked about a potential return to the NFL. In response, Belichick claimed that his NCAA tenure is not a pitstop on his return to the pros.
‘I didn’t come here to leave,’ the six-time Super Bowl champion responded. While elaborating on how involved he plans to be in the college system, Belichick expressed his excitement about his new gig.
‘I am excited for the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill,’ he declared. ‘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 at Chapel Hill,’ he added.
Belichick’s father, Stephen Nickolas Belichick, had a long career as a college coach across four different programs. After serving as the head coach at Hiram College, Stephen became a backfield coach for Vanderbilt then UNC, and went on to play the same role and add scouting duties for the Navy.
Meanwhile, it was also revealed Thursday that the first three years of his contract worth $30m are full guaranteed. However, his fourth and fifth seasons will not be.
Belichick’s buyout clause will drop to $1million from $10million after June 1, 2025
Belichick is set to pocket $1m per year in base salary and an additional $9m each season in supplemental income.
Belichick succeeds recently fired Mack Brown, who was relieved of his duties after six years in charge of the team.
‘I believe we’re gonna run a good program and have a good team,’ Belichick added. ‘I’m not great at predictions, I’m just saying I’m gonna come here and do the best I can with a great school.’
Belichick and the university agreed to a five-year deal worth $50million, making him one of the highest-paid college coaches on an annual salary basis. His pay is also a massive jump from the $5m salary UNC paid Brown in his final season in charge of the program.
It marks his first-ever college coaching job after close to half a century in the NFL, where he won six Super Bowls as a head coach for the Patriots.
