The details of Bill Belichick’s $50 million deal to become the new head coach of the University of North Carolina have been revealed — and it could be a lot easier for the 72-year-old to return to the NFL than expected .
Belichick signed a five-year contract on Wednesday to become the next UNC head coach after conducting a shocking interview with the school last week.
The veteran coach has been out of work since leaving his storied 24-year reign as head coach of the New England Patriots at the start of the year, failing to land a top gig elsewhere in the NFL.
But a path back to the pros could be a lot easier and come a lot sooner than many fans would imagine.
On Thursday afternoon, after Belichick’s press conference, it emerged that the coach has a $10 million buyout clause, but only until June 2025, according to Chris Vannini.
After the first six months of his contract, that amount will drop to $1 million on June 1, 2025, before his first college football season has even started.
Bill Belichick signed a $50 million deal to become the new coach of the University of North Carolina
The 72-year-old has been out of work since his legendary reign in New England
The dramatic drop means Belichick can easily escape his contract with just $1 million if an NFL team calls in the offseason without ever being on the sidelines in Chapel Hill.
However, while his escape route is easily accessible, it doesn’t necessarily mean Belichick will take it.
During his introductory press conference on Thursday, Belichick was asked about a possible return to the NFL. In response, Belichick claimed his NCAA tenure is not a pit stop on his return to the pros.
“I didn’t come here to leave,” the six-time Super Bowl champion responded. While elaborating on the extent to which he plans to be involved in the college system, Belichick expressed his excitement about his new gig.
“I am excited about the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill,” he stated. “I grew up playing college football with my dad and cherished 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 at four different programs. After serving as head coach at Hiram College, Stephen became a backfield coach for Vanderbilt and then UNC, then played the same role and added scouting duties for Navy.
Meanwhile, it was also revealed on Thursday that the first three years of his $30 million contract are fully guaranteed. However, his fourth and fifth seasons will not be.
Belichick’s buyout clause will drop from $10 million to $1 million after June 1, 2025
Belichick is expected to earn $1 million per year in base salary and another $9 million in supplemental income each season.
Belichick succeeds the recently fired Mack Brown, who was relieved of his position after six years leading the team.
“I believe we’re going to have a good program and a good team,” Belichick added. “I’m not very good at predictions, I just say I’m going to come here and do my best at a great school.”
Belichick and the university agreed to a five-year deal worth $50 million, making him one of the highest-paid college coaches on an annual basis. His salary is also a huge jump from the $5 million salary UNC paid Brown in his final season in charge of the program.
It marks his first-ever college coaching job after nearly a half-century in the NFL, where he won six Super Bowls as head coach for the Patriots.