Bill Belichick Takes on North Carolina with a Fresh Start: Inside the Shocking Career Shift of the Super Bowl-Winning Coach
Belichick is stepping into the dynamic world of college football, leaving behind his quest for more NFL history
Legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick has been announced as the next head coach of the North Carolina football program, a move that was confirmed by the university on Wednesday. This is a huge surprise in recent football history and marks a break in Belichick’s ongoing quest to create more history in the NFL—if that chapter has come to an end.
Belichick has signed a five-year contract, which is expected to be approved by the UNC Board of Trustees on Thursday.
Belichick is bringing what might be the greatest coaching resume in college football history: 333 NFL wins, eight Super Bowl victories (including two as an assistant), and 12 Super Bowl appearances. At 72 years old, after spending five decades at the professional level, he is stepping into college football for the first time and promises to bring a pro-level program to his Tar Heels team.
Belichick’s interest in UNC and the finalization of the deal were first reported by Inside Carolina, marking his first known foray into college coaching after leaving the New England Patriots in 2023.
North Carolina, renowned for its men's basketball program, is now moving from a national championship-winning coach in Mack Brown to a multiple-time Super Bowl champion coach like Belichick, whose resume could attract a wealth of recruits and transfer players aiming for the NFL.
Just one day before the transfer portal opens, Belichick became North Carolina’s sole target. While UNC had shown interest in other coaches, the final decision was to hire Belichick.
Various salary offers were made for the UNC coaching position, as Belichick earned $20 million per year in his final years in the NFL.
Furthermore, UNC has expressed a desire to properly manage its athletic programs and clubs, especially basketball and Olympic sports, to avoid overspending on the football program.
Belichick’s move from the NFL to college football will bring fresh hope and new plans for North Carolina’s football program, introducing a new challenge for him and setting the stage for potential success.
