New North Carolina football head coach Bill Belichick opened up about how he’s recruiting players to the Tar Heels’ program.
After one year away from coaching, Bill Belichick signed a lucrative five-year deal with North Carolina that includes a $10 million salary and several incentives. If he leads the Tar Heels to a national championship victory, the 72-year-old will get a $1.75 million bonus.
The contract is set up for a clean exit too, should Belichick decide to return to the NFL. The former New England Patriots head coach owes the school $10 million if he exits before June 1, or just $1 million after that date.
During his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” today, Belichick was asked what potential recruits are specifically asking. Here’s what the eight-time Super Bowl champion said:
“Really, it’s about the player investing in his future. The next few years will be critical to his career…whether that be in football or out of football…North Carolina is a great place for that to happen, both on the field in the football program but also it’s a great university with great educational programs.
So if they invest in us…we’ll have them ready to go when they leave.”
Bill Belichick went in-depth with @PatMcAfeeShow on his recruiting process at UNC 👀 pic.twitter.com/HcoEKYL0CV
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 24, 2025
North Carolina finished a disappointing 6-7 last season. Legendary head coach Mack Brown was fired ahead of the bowl game announcement, with Freddie Kitchens taking over as the interim HC. The Tar Heels’ season ended with a 27-14 loss to UConn.
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Incredibly, this marks Bill Belichick’s first coaching job at the NCAA level. He was employed by an NFL team every year from 1975 to 2023, starting with the Baltimore Colts as a special assistant.
Belichick and the Patriots parted ways after the 2023 season following rumors that owner Robert Kraft wanted to move on. Belichick was replaced by Jerod Mayo, but the latter lasted just one season and was relieved of his duties in favor of Mike Vrabel.
Bill Belichick Can Add To His Special Legacy
Belichick’s legacy as one of the all-time great football coaches was cemented long ago. If there was another thing to add to his resume, it was a successful career in the college coaching ranks.
UNC will always be a basketball-first school, but the legend of Belichick would grow even higher if he turned this football program into a juggernaut.
