North Carolina
Details of Bill Belichick’s contract at North Carolina emerge
Details of Bill Belichick’s contract with North Carolina have come to light after he officially took the job as the Tar Heels’ next head football coach.
Belichick will receive a $1 million base salary and $9 million in supplemental income in a deal that is guaranteed for the first three years and then becomes non-guaranteed in years four and five.
According to his term sheet, Belichick can earn up to $3.5 million per year in bonuses related to wins, postseason appearances and North Carolina’s College Football Playoff ranking.
For instance, Belichick will receive $150,000 if he leads the Tar Heels to eight wins in a season — North Carolina won six games in 2024 — and increases $50,000 for every win after that, topping out at $350,000 for a 12-win season.
An ACC title game appearance would result in a $200,000 bonus for Belichick, and a win would raise that to $300,000.
If Belichick were to lead the Tar Heels to a non-CFP bowl appearance, there would be a $150,000 bonus that jumps to $350,000 for an “elite” bowl appearance.
It was not specified what constitutes an “elite” bowl game.
Making the College Football Playoff would result in a $750,000 bonus that could increase to as much as $1.75 million.
Belichick could earn as high as $500,000 for a top 5 ranking in the CFP poll.
There is also a stipulation that says his buyout would be $10 million if he is fired before June 1, 2025, and that would fall to $1 million after that date, according to On3.com.
Belichick spoke glowingly on Thursday at a press conference introducing him as the new coach.
“I’ve always wanted to coach in college football,” he said. “It just never really worked out. Had some good years in the NFL so that was OK, but this was really a dream come true. I grew up in college football with my dad, who was in it for 50 years.
“All I knew was college football. It’s great to be back in Carolina, an environment I grew up in.”
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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