NFL legend Bill Belichick has been hired as head football coach at North Carolina, the school announced Wednesday.
It’s the first college coaching job for Belichick, who previously had spent his entire 49-year career in the NFL. That including a 24-year stint as head coach of the New England Patriots that ended just last year.
Belichick grew up around the college game, however. His father, Steve, was an assistant coach and scout at Navy for more than 30 years, and also for three years in the 1950s at North Carolina.
“I am excited for the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill,” Belichick said. “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.”
Belichick replaces Mack Brown, who was fired by North Carolina last month after six seasons. Belichick is only slightly younger than Brown, who at 73 was viewed by some as perhaps too old and out of touch for the demands of the modern college game.
The Athletic reported Wednesday that Belichick has agreed to a three-year contract that will pay him $10 million per year, though the school announced it as a five-year deal (terms not disclosed). At any rate, to say that the move took the football world by storm is a vast understatement.
“We know that college athletics is changing, and those changes require new and innovative thinking,” North Carolina athletics director Bubba Cunningham said. “Bill Belichick is a football legend, and hiring him to lead our program represents a new approach that will ensure Carolina football can evolve, compete and win -- today and in the future. At Carolina, we believe in providing championship opportunities and the best experience possible for our student-athletes, and Coach Belichick shares that commitment. We are excited to welcome him to Chapel Hill.”
Belichick was fired after last season by the New England Patriots, whom he coached to 266 wins and six Super Bowl championships from 2000-23. He was also head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1991-95, and was defensive coordinator with both the New York Giants and Jets under Bill Parcells.
Belichick’s name began surfacing in connection with the North Carolina job late last week, but has gained steam in recent days. The coach reportedly submitted a 400-page “organizational bible” during the interview process, and was formally offered the job late Tuesday according to a report by Raleigh’s WRAL-TV.
Belichick has spent the 2024 season as a consultant with the NFL’s Washington Commanders, where his son, Stephen, is defensive coordinator. At least one report earlier this week suggested that the 37-year-old Stephen Belichick — who has also never coached in college — might be hired as North Carolina’s “coach in waiting” along with his father.