North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick and school officials signed his official, official employment contract last month after speculation that the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach might opt ​​to return to the NFL.
The school released the contract Thursday, signed by chancellor Lee Roberts and athletic director Bubba Cunningham and approved by university administrators earlier in the day. Belichick signed the deal on Wednesday.
The official contract replaces a signed term paper that was released as the school held its news conference to introduce the 72-year-old Belichick, who is taking over a college program for the first time.
The parties agreed to a five-year deal, although only the first three years are guaranteed with $10 million per year in base plus salary and another $3.5 million available in bonuses. There was also a $10 million buyout to keep Belichick going until June, when it dropped to $1 million.
Belichick’s name has been thrown around as the NFL recruiting cycle continues in January, though the coach has often appeared on social media in photos from his recruiting stops.
Additionally, Michael Lombardi — a former NFL executive who now serves as UNC’s general manager — also took to social media to reinforce Belichick’s commitment to the Tar Heels.
“He’s focused on North Carolina football, recruiting and developing the team,” Lombardi wrote last week in X in response to a story about Belichick still not signing an official contract. “The NFL (isn’t an option) so please stop doing it. Thank you.”
Belichick’s deal includes:
– $100,000 in annual expenses
– $100,000 in moving expenses to North Carolina
– Bonuses range from $150,000 for winning eight regular season games to $350,000 for winning 12 regular season games
– $200,000 bonus for leading UNC to a conference championship game, rising to $300,000 if UNC wins that game
– Bonuses for appearing in the final College Football Playoff poll, ranging from $250,000 for being in the top 25 to $500,000 for being in the top five
What are Bill Belichick’s expectations for his first season at UNC?
– CFP appearance bonuses range from $750,000 for making the field to $1.75 million for winning the title
– Additional bonuses for bowl trips and teamwork in courses
– Also benefits such as country club membership and up to 25 hours per year of private jet use
Belichick guided the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during his 24-year tenure and has 333 career regular-season and postseason NFL catches, trailing only Don Shula’s 347 for the NFL record.
It is reported by the Associated Press.
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