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.”