UNC faces $30 million hurdle to fire Bill Belichick amid Jordon Hudson circus

The University of North Carolina didn’t fully anticipate what would come with hiring Bill Belichick when they signed him in December of last year.

Sure, they knew they were getting the six-time Super Bowl champion who built a dynasty with the New England Patriots. But the typically stern-faced coach had kept a low profile—until recently. That changed largely due to his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson, who has been acting as his manager and publicist.

It now appears that relationship may have shifted—at least on a professional level. Following widespread criticism from their joint CBS interview earlier this spring, Belichick made it clear at this week’s ACC spring meetings that Hudson has no involvement with the UNC football program.

“It’s off to the side,” Belichick said. “A personal relationship. She doesn’t have anything to do with UNC football. I’m excited to be back in coaches meetings.”

The bigger question now: Will Belichick ever actually coach a UNC game? Between the relentless media coverage and a $1 million buyout clause that activates June 1, speculation continues to swirl over whether Belichick will remain in Chapel Hill much longer.

However, The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel believes those rumors are overblown.

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“I’d recommend pumping the brakes,” Mandel said. “UNC has invested way too much in Belichick and his program — $20 million in staff salaries alone — to turn around and dismantle it six months later. I’ve seen references by various media outlets to his buyout dropping from $10 million to $1 million on June 1, but that’s what Belichick would owe if he leaves. The school would owe him closer to $30 million if it were to part ways with him now."

UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham appears to be working well with Belichick.

"Bill's been great to work with, and everything relative to football, is what we talk about," Cunningham told CBS Sports. "All the other stuff is for him."

Mandel also emphasized that UNC would have little justification to fire Belichick for cause.

“As for the possibility of firing him for cause, what is the cause, exactly? Hiring his meddling, much-younger girlfriend to be his manager? Unless he secretly put her on the UNC payroll, that’s not exactly a fireable offense. Causing negative publicity for the university? I’d contend it’s been far more negative toward Belichick and his girlfriend than it has for UNC.”

So unless an NFL team unexpectedly swoops in to buy out his contract—an unlikely scenario given the circumstances—there’s still a strong chance Belichick will be on the sidelines when the Tar Heels face TCU on Labor Day.

MORE BILL BELICHICK: UNC tries to cool Bill Belichick-Jordon Hudson headlines with quiet reset that included Kentucky Derby no-show