Bill Belichick’s North Carolina contract details show staggering salary, interesting clauses
Bill Belichick has already been on the recruiting trail, but it’s official that he’s a North Carolina commit the next head football coach after he signed the contract.
And it’s a contract with staggering numbers.
Tar Heels announced Thursday Belichick’s contract runs through 2029. The 72-year-old will make $10 million per season, though his official base salary is $1 million.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS REPORTS ON FOXNEWS.COM
New North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
The other $9 million will come from what is described as “supplementary income”.
Belichick, six Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, instantly becoming one of the 10 highest paid coaches in college football. Seven coaches earned $10 million or more in 2024, according to USA Today.
The highest paid coach in the country is Georgian Kirby Smart with over 13 million dollars per season. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney ($11.13 million), Texas’ Steve Sarkisian ($10.6 million), USC’s Lincoln Riley ($10.043 million) and Ohio State’s Ryan Day ($10.021 million), just after winning the national championship, they round out the top five.
Like many other contracts, Belichick’s has incentives that would trigger big payouts if met, including a $750,000 bonus if the Tar Heels reach the College Football Playoff. If they win the national title, Belichick would receive a bonus of $1.75 million.
Other incentives include a $150,000 bonus for reaching a bowl game, as well as a $350,000 bonus if the team makes an “elite” no-show. That would include the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Gator Bowl, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and several others.
New North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
Finally, a top-25 finish at the end of the regular season would also trigger a $250,000 bonus for Belichick. And he’d like to get his $350,000 elite play bonus if the Tar Heels finish in the top 25.
There is also confirmation that Belichick has a buyout clause, which has been widely reported as a condition of North Carolina if he leaves for the NFL job. If Belichick leaves UNC before June 1, the university is owed $10 million. After June 1, the buyout drops to one million dollars.
However, despite several NFL teams reportedly reaching out to Belichick, he said during his introductory news conference that he is in Chapel Hill to stay.
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick answers questions during a press conference at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
He’s already showing his commitment to the program by going on the road and talking to recruits as he aims to build a playoff roster through the new NIL system.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports broadcast on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
