Rumors of Bill Belichick’s potential departure from North Carolina to return to the NFL can officially be put to rest – for now.
Belichick, who had accepted the position as head coach of the Tar Heels, has finally signed his contract, silencing speculation about his intentions.
ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel confirmed the news. “UNC sent out a copy of Bill Belichick’s contract. Here’s the way they get to his $10 million salary. I’ve been told the deal is signed, which is why UNC has released the deal via state open record laws,” he posted on X.
Belichick’s contract, which solidifies him as one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, details his $10 million annual compensation. Of that, $1 million is classified as his base salary.
“Base Salary. During the Term, the University shall pay Coach an annual Base Salary at an annual rate of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per year for services provided according to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, payable monthly and in accordance with the University’s policies and standard payroll practices. The annual Base Salary shall be based on a twelve-month employment period commencing on December 12, 2024 (each such period a “Contract Year”) and shall be prorated for any partial Contract Year, including the period from December 12, 2029 to December 31, 2029. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Base Salary” shall refer to Coach’s base salary rate then in effect pursuant to this Section, and shall not include any bonus, additional forms of compensation, supplemental income, benefits, or other amounts payable to Coach as provided in this Agreement.”
The remaining $9 million comes from supplemental income, also paid monthly.
According to the contract: “The University shall pay Coach supplemental income in the aggregate amount of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000) annually, paid monthly on the last business day of the calendar month so long as Coach is employed as Head Coach. For the avoidance of doubt, although the Supplemental.”
In addition to his base salary and supplemental income, Belichick’s deal includes a lucrative incentive structure based on team performance.
Some of the key bonuses are:
-ACC title game appearance: $200,000
-ACC title game win: $300,000
-Non-CFP bowl: $150,000
-Non-CFP Tier 1/Elite bowl game shall be defined as the Pop-Tarts Bowl, TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, and the Duke Mayo Bowl: $350,000
-CFP participant: $750,000
-CFP quarterfinals appearance: $1,000,000
-CFP semis: $1,250,000
-National title appearance: $1,500,000
-National title win: $1,750,000
Belichick’s official signing puts an end to any doubt about his commitment to the UNC program.
(Although the funky details of his buyout clause won’t do much to fully put the NFL speculation to bed.)
For now, Belichick and the Tar Heels can look forward to the 2025 season. They’re set to kick things off on September 1 against the TCU Horned Frogs.
What are your thoughts on Belichick’s contract? … Can you confidently say that he’ll never coach another game in the NFL???
