Tag: north carolina

Dec 14, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head football coach Bill Belichick during half time at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

UNC releases Bill Belichick contract: $10M a year, plenty of extras

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bill Belichick will earn $10 million a year as football coach at North Carolina, with the opportunity to earn hundreds of thousands of dollars more in bonuses.

The university released the 29-page signed contract Thursday, following recent questions as to why the 72-year-old Belichick hadn’t yet signed the deal as rumors of a possible interest in an NFL head-coaching vacancy swirled.

He was hired Dec. 11 and has been hard at work recruiting, already signing 21 players to the roster even before officially signing the deal.

The contract calls for Belichick to pay the school a $10 million buyout if he leaves the Tar Heels before June 1, and $1 million after his first season through the end of the deal.

The university is guaranteeing his contract for only the first three seasons. If he is fired without cause during the last two years of the contract, beginning Jan. 1, 2028, he will receive no payment.

The contract includes a variety of bonuses that coincide with how the Tar Heels play on the field to how well the players perform in the classroom.

An eight-win regular season would bring Belichick $150,000, with each win on top of eight resulting in an additional $50,000 bonus. Winning the Atlantic Coast Conference title would add $300,000 to his pay.

Making the 12-team College Football Playoff would give Belichick a $750,000 jackpot. Reaching the quarterfinals would pay $1 million, with an additional $250,000 for each game won. Should the Tar Heels win the national championship, therefore, Belichick’s CFP bonus would earn him $1.75 million.

Bonuses for team grade-point average begin at $50,000 and rise as the grades do.

The other perks are generous, too.

Among them, the university will pay for Belichick’s membership to the Chapel Hill Country Club, give him $100,000 in relocation fees, supply him and at least 10 staff members with a car, and provide access to a suite at all home and away games.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels new head coach Bill Belichick speaks to the media at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Bill Belichick casts heavy shadow over Fenway Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Before a new era begins at North Carolina, there is one more football game to play.

That comes when the Tar Heels meet UConn on Saturday in the Fenway Bowl — at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.

There is no doubt that much of the bowl game will include the backdrop of Bill Belichick becoming North Carolina’s coach beginning in the 2025 season. Adding to the buzz is the fact that the game will played practically in the backyard of where Belichick coached the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins.

The distractions could be numerous for the Tar Heels (6-6), who lost their final two games of the regular season.

“I want to compliment the guys on working to get better each and every day,” interim coach Freddie Kitchens said. “We’re just trying to do a good job staying where our feet are. I think the guys have done a good job of kind of knocking out some of the distractions.”

Since the departure of coach Mack Brown, Kitchens, who will remain with the program on Belichick’s staff, has overseen the North Carolina team. Belichick and Kitchens are in regular communication.

“He asks questions. I answer the questions,” Kitchens said, “so he’s fully aware of everything dealing with this program.”

UConn (8-4) certainly doesn’t want to be an afterthought in this bowl.

“It’s Fenway, (so) it’s going to be awesome,” Huskies coach Jim Mora Jr. said.

The Huskies are trying to match the program’s highest win total since moving to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2000. UConn posted nine victories in 2003 and 2007.

“You guys can look back with a lot of pride that you’ve hopefully changed the trajectory of this program for a long time to come,” Mora said of his message to the team.

The trajectory for North Carolina, on the other, is that of a program in transition.

Kitchens is finishing his second season as North Carolina’s run game coordinator and tight ends coach. He is part of a group of assistants coordinating the offense for the bowl as 2024 coordinator Chip Lindsey departed for Michigan earlier this month.

“We try to draw on things we can control,” Kitchens said. “I expect them to play well and hopefully they expect themselves to play well.”

Kitchens has declined to discuss specifics regarding how the offense might be designed for the Connecticut game.

North Carolina defensive coordinator Geoff Collins remains in that position for Fenway Bowl.

“Nothing really has changed from a defensive staff or special teams staff,” Kitchens said.

Kitchens said that most players who entered the transfer portal have continued to work out with the Tar Heels and that he anticipates they will play in Boston.

One player who stepped away is running back Omarion Hampton, who ranks fourth all-time in rushing yards (3,565) for North Carolina. He has declared for the NFL draft after gaining 1,660 rushing yards — second in the nation behind the 2,497 of Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty of Boise State — and 15 touchdowns this season.

Mora said the Huskies will be without running back Durell Robinson (731 rushing yards), who is transferring to Auburn. Robinson is among at least 10 UConn players in the transfer portal, some of whom expressed interest in playing in the bowl.

“They want to finish this thing out,” Mora said.

The Huskies still have leading rusher Cam Edwards (756 yards) but will be without defensive lineman Dal’Mont Gourdine, who sustained a broken foot during a late-November practice.

North Carolina has won all three of its meetings with UConn, most recently earning a 12-10 win on Sept. 12, 2009, in East Hartford, Conn.

UConn is 0-3 against Atlantic Coast Conference members this year with losses to Duke, Wake Forest and Syracuse.

ACC teams (Louisville, Boston College) won the first two Fenway Bowls. Connecticut lost a regular-season game at the ballpark in November 2017, falling to Boston College.

Kitchens said he has been outside Fenway Park on a visit to Boston but never inside the gates.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels new head coach Bill Belichick speaks to those attending his hiring announcement at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

QB recruit Bryce Baker talks with Bill Belichick, stays with UNC

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Four-star quarterback Bryce Baker, after speaking with new North Carolina coach Bill Belichick, will sign with his home-state Tar Heels on Dec. 18, the high school senior told ESPN on Saturday.

Baker verbally committed in June 2023 to North Carolina and then-head coach Mack Brown, who was fired at the end of the regular season. Baker didn’t sign with the Tar Heels during the early signing period Dec. 4-6 and reportedly communicated with Penn State and LSU as UNC searched for its next head coach, which became Belichick on Wednesday. Baker had made an official visit to Penn State on Nov. 30.

A phone call with Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl champion coach during his long, dominant tenure with the New England Patriots, led Baker to stick with UNC. He liked Belichick’s vision as a professional program at the college level.

“Their experience in the NFL is huge,” Baker told ESPN. “They’ve been on the level that I’m trying to get to. I feel like that separates them from a lot of other schools. They want to develop me, and they know the intricacies that will help me get to my goals. I feel like (Belichick) will bring in the right pieces to build around me. They’re going to make me a priority.”

Listed at 6-foot-2 1/2 and 195 pounds, Baker is the No. 80 player in the country, the No. 8 quarterback and the No. 3 player in North Carolina in the 247Sports composite rankings for the Class of 2025.

He passed for more than 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns with four interceptions and six rushing TDs his senior season at East Forsyth High in Kernersville, N.C.

Baker said that after signing, he will enroll at North Carolina in January and play for a coaching staff different from the one to which he initially made his commitment. Belichick, 72, signed a five-year contract with UNC after having no college coaching experience. His 333 wins as an NFL coach (including playoffs) are 15 short of breaking the all-time record held by Don Shula.

“I have to trust that he’ll bring in the right pieces and the right staff to help me out as far as having success,” Baker said. “I want to get developed and be as prepared as possible so when the opportunity comes, I’m ready to seize it.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels new head coach Bill Belichick speaks to those attending his hiring announcement at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Bill Belichick longshot to complete North Carolina contract

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One of the subtle surprises about Bill Belichick taking over as the head coach at North Carolina was the five-year contract signed by the 72-year-old.

The school’s official statement came out a few hours after reports that Belichick had agreed to a three-year deal. That aligned with numerous analysts suggesting the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach might take the reigns in Chapel Hill for a few years before handing the reigns over to his son, Steve, who is currently the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington.

Instead, Belichick agreed to a deal with UNC until he’s at least 77. And while his son still may join him and a succession plan might be in the works, Belichick appears solely committed to his foray into coaching college football.

Even the NFL might not be strong enough a draw to lure him away.

“I didn’t come here to leave,” Belichick said during his introductory press conference Thursday.

However, oddsmakers aren’t as sure. SportsBetting.ag is offering +150 odds that Belichick will coach all five years of his contract, compared to -200 odds that he will be gone before its conclusion.

The sportsbook has opened several Belichick props. Among them:

BILL BELICHICK PROPS*
–Over/Under Years Belichick Coaches UNC: 2.5
–Over/Under 2025 Total Wins: 7
–Over/Under Number Current Power 4 Players Transfer to UNC for 2025: 13
–Will UNC Win Season Opener vs. TCU? Yes (-220)/No (+180)
–UNC-Clemson 2025 Look-Ahead Line: Clemson -6
–Will UNC Reach the 2025 CFP? Yes (+800)
–Will UNC Reach the 2025 ACC Championship Game? Yes (+500)
–Will UNC Win the 2025 ACC Championship Game? Yes (+1000)
–Will UNC Win 10 or More Games in 2025? Yes (+1000)
*SportsBetting.ag odds provided for entertainment purposes only

Belichick was asked on Thursday why he is trying his hand at the collegiate coaching level.

Well, Belichick’s father, Steve Belichick, was an assistant coach at North Carolina from 1953-55 before enjoying a lengthy career at Navy. Bill Belichick honored that on Thursday by pulling out an old sweatshirt worn by his father during the latter’s time at Chapel Hill.

“This is really kind of a dream come true,” he said. “I grew up in college football with my dad, he was a coach at Navy for 50 years, so as a kid all I knew is college football. It’s great to come back home to Carolina and back in an environment that I really grew up in.”

Belichick also noted that his love of coaching was the inspiration to accept the position at North Carolina.

“Beats working,” he said. “When you love what you do, it’s not work. I love what I do. I love coaching. I love the interaction with the players, the building a team, working, the assistants, game planning, the games itself.”

–Field Level Media

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in 2023.

Bill Belichick, North Carolina agree to five-year deal

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Bill Belichick rejoined the coaching ranks at a different level on Wednesday, landing a five-year contract to take over as the head coach at North Carolina.

The deal must be ratified by the university’s Board of Trustees and Board of Governors. A special session will be held Thursday, according to multiple media outlets.

The five-year pact would pay the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach a total of $50 million, The Athletic reported.

Belichick’s father, Steve Belichick, was an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina from 1953-55. Bill Belichick takes over a Tar Heels program that has not won a conference title since 1980.

Belichick said in a statement released by North Carolina, “I am excited for the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill. 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.”

North Carolina chancellor Lee H. Roberts added in a statement, “This is an exciting day for Carolina football and our University. Carolina is committed to excellence and to creating an opportunity to succeed in everything we do, from the classroom to the field of competition. I know after speaking with Coach Belichick that he shares that commitment. His legacy speaks for itself, and we look forward to working together on the next chapter of Carolina football.”

Belichick will replace Mack Brown, whom North Carolina fired at the end of the regular season. The Tar Heels (6-6) will play in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 28 in Boston.

Tar Heels athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement, “We know that college athletics is changing, and those changes require new and innovative thinking. 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.”

Belichick, 72, parted ways with the New England Patriots following the 2023 season after 24 years with the franchise. He was out of coaching this year despite interviewing for multiple NFL vacancies last offseason, and has been working multiple roles in the media.

Belichick has 333 wins as an NFL coach and needs 14 more to break the all-time wins record for NFL coaches held by Don Shula. However, according to reports earlier this week, he was surprised not to hear from the NFL teams with existing vacancies.

It will be his first coaching position at the collegiate level. His son, Steve, is the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington and a prominent role for him at UNC was reportedly a part of his father’s pitch to the Tar Heels. Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch was a former assistant for Bill Belichick, who spent significant time around the Washington program over the past year.

During an interview with “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, Belichick outlined what he believed he could bring to a program during the NIL era that has contributed to other coaches such as Nick Saban leaving college football.

“The college program would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players that had the ability to play in the NFL,” he said. “It would be a professional program, training, nutrition, scheme, coaching, techniques that would transfer to the NFL. It would be an NFL program at a college level and an education that would get the players ready for their career after football, whether that was (at) the end of their college career or at the end of their pro career.

“But it would be geared toward developing the player, time management, discipline, structure and all that, that would be life skills, regardless of whether they’re in the NFL or somewhere in the business.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks onto the field prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Reports: Bill Belichick, North Carolina agree to 3-year deal

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Bill Belichick has agreed to a three-year deal to take over as the head coach at North Carolina, according to multiple reports Wednesday night.

According to The Athletic, the deal reportedly could be worth up to $30 million.

The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach has been in contract discussions with the program following multiple meetings with the search committee. WTVD reported that the UNC board of trustees met Wednesday to approve the contract.

He will replace Mack Brown, whom North Carolina fired at the end of the regular season.

Belichick, 72, parted ways with the New England Patriots following the 2023 season after 24 years with the franchise. He was out of coaching this year despite interviewing for multiple NFL vacancies last offseason, and has been working multiple roles in the media.

Belichick has 333 wins as an NFL coach and needs 14 more to break the all-time wins record for NFL coaches held by Don Shula. But according to reports earlier this week, he was surprised not to hear from the NFL teams with existing vacancies.

Belichick’s father, Steve Belichick, was an assistant coach at UNC from 1953-55. Bill Belichick now takes over a Tar Heels program that has not won a conference title since 1980.

It will be his first coaching position at the collegiate level. His son, Steve, is currently the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington and a prominent role for him at UNC was reportedly a part of his father’s pitch to the Tar Heels. Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch was a former assistant for Bill Belichick, who spent significant time around the Washington program over the past year.

During an interview with “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, Belichick outlined what he believed he could bring to a program during the NIL era that has contributed to other coaches such as Nick Saban leaving college football.

“The college program would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players that had the ability to play in the NFL,” he said. “It would be a professional program, training, nutrition, scheme, coaching, techniques that would transfer to the NFL. It would be an NFL program at a college level and an education that would get the players ready for their career after football, whether that was (at) the end of their college career or at the end of their pro career.

“But it would be geared toward developing the player, time management, discipline, structure and all that, that would be life skills, regardless of whether they’re in the NFL or somewhere in the business.”

–Field Level Media

After 24 seasons as the New England Patriots' head coach, Bill Belichick is trying his hand as a TV analyst during the 2024 NFL season. He is also currently a candidate to become the next UNC football coach.

Reports: Bill Belichick expected to be named North Carolina coach

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North Carolina is finalizing a deal to name Bill Belichick its new head coach, 247Sports and ABC11 WTVD reported Wednesday.

WTVD reported that the UNC board of trustees is meeting Wednesday to approve the contract for Belichick, who met with the search committee multiple times, the first time coming over Zoom.

He would replace Mack Brown, whom North Carolina fired at the end of the regular season.

Belichick, 72, told The Pat McAfee Show on Monday he’s had conversations with the university leadership and was interested in become head coach of the Tar Heels. The search committee met again with Belichick last week in New York City, according to the 247Sports report.

After 24 seasons with the Patriots and six Super Bowl titles in nine appearances, Belichick was replaced by owner Robert Kraft in New England before the 2024 season.

Belichick needs 14 wins to break the all-time wins record for NFL coaches held by Don Shula. But according to reports earlier this week, he was surprised not to hear from the NFL teams with existing vacancies.

Belichick’s father, Steve Belichick, was an assistant coach at UNC from 1953-55.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Troy Trojans head coach Chip Lindsey directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Reports: Michigan close to hiring Chip Lindsey as OC

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After firing Kirk Campbell last week, Michigan is expected to hire Chip Lindsey as its new offensive coordinator, multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday.

Lindsey, 50, has been North Carolina’s OC the past two seasons. He was the head coach at Troy from 2019-21, posting a 15-19 record. He also served as offensive coordinator with Southern Miss, Arizona State, Auburn and UCF after coaching at the high school level in Alabama and Georgia.

Under Lindsey’s guidance, the 2023 Tar Heels — led by 2024 No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye at quarterback — boasted the No. 7 offense in the country.

In Campbell’s lone season as Michigan’s OC, the Wolverines started three different QBs and struggled to move the ball after winning the national title the previous season.

Michigan appears to have its quarterback set for 2025 after five-star recruit Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU last week to join head coach Sherrone Moore’s program.

However, the Wolverines won’t have the services of running backs Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings, who were seniors this season. Top wide receiver Tyler Morris is also departing via the transfer portal. Tight end Colston Loveland may bypass his final college season and enter the NFL draft after posting team highs in catches (56), yards (582), and TD receptions (five).

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson enter the field before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

North Carolina, Bill Belichick intensify contract talks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

One of the NFL’s greatest coaches could be taking his talent to campus after all.

Bill Belichick interviewed with North Carolina to replace Mack Brown as head coach and the two sides are working to iron out details of an agreement, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

Belichick, 72, told The Pat McAfee Show on Monday he’s had conversations with the university leadership and was interested in become head coach of the Tar Heels.

The Tar Heels retained an outside advisory firm to identify coaching candidates to replace Brown, whom they fired at the end of the regular season. North Carolina went 6-6, including 3-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Two other prominent names that were initially in the mix for the North Carolina head coaching job have dropped off. Jon Sumrall has reportedly told Tulane that he plans to stay as head coach of the Green Wave. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, a 2005 graduate of North Carolina, has informed the school he intends to stay with the Steelers.

North Carolina has reportedly also spoken to Army head coach Jeff Monken, whose team was a perfect 8-0 in their first season in the American Athletic Conference and finished 11-1 overall. Monken is also a possibility for the West Virginia head coaching vacancy left by Neal Brown’s dismissal, according to multiple reports.

After 24 seasons with the Patriots and six Super Bowl titles in nine appearances, Belichick was replaced owner Robert Kraft in New England before the 2024 season.

He was a finalist to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, but owner Arthur Blank opted for Raheem Morris.

Belichick needs 14 wins to break the all-time wins record for NFL coaches held by Don Shula. But according to reports earlier this week, he was surprised not to hear from the NFL teams with existing vacancies.

–Field Level Media

After 24 seasons as the New England Patriots' head coach, Bill Belichick is trying his hand as a TV analyst.

Report: Talks between Bill Belichick, UNC continue

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Six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick is continuing to explore the head coaching opportunity at North Carolina, ESPN reported Monday, with a resolution expected by the end of this week.

Multiple outlets previously reported that Belichick interviewed with the Tar Heels last week in New York, and according to the Raleigh News & Observer, Belichick “blew them away in the interview.”

However, there are concerns about his age — Belichick is 73 — and the fact that he’s never coached at the college level, per reports.

After he and the New England Patriots agreed to part ways following a 24-year stint, Belichick interviewed for the head job with the Atlanta Falcons, who instead hired Raheem Morris. The North Carolina interview is the first known instance of Belichick showing interest in a college position.

Belichick is expected to draw interest for NFL openings in the upcoming hiring cycle.

The Tar Heels retained an outside advisory firm to identify coaching candidates to replace Mack Brown, whom they fired at the end of the regular season. North Carolina went 6-6, including 3-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Two other prominent names that were initially in the mix for the North Carolina head coaching job have dropped off. Jon Sumrall has reportedly told Tulane that he plans to stay as head coach of the Green Wave. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, a 2005 graduate of North Carolina, has informed the school he intends to stay with the Steelers.

North Carolina has reportedly also spoken to Army head coach Jeff Monken, whose team was a perfect 8-0 in their first season in the American Athletic Conference and finished 11-1 overall. Monken is also a possibility for the West Virginia head coaching vacancy left by Neal Brown’s dismissal, according to multiple reports.

North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham expressed optimism regarding the school’s search for their next head coach.

“We are very optimistic of where we are, the interest in our program is just extraordinary, and we’ll get a great coach to lead us. Who can lead us in the next three, five, 10 years? We need somebody that can come in and take us from good to great,” Cunningham said in an in-house interview the school posted online last week.

–Field Level Media