Why Bill Belichick’s UNC buyout won’t stop an NFL comeback

Bill Belichick's tenure at North Carolina is entering Year 2. To say the longtime coach had ridden a rollercoaster is an understatement. 

Belichick's future seems to be headed for another season in Chapel Hill, but the speculation is swirling given the amount of NFL head coaching jobs open right now. This is a rare cycle with the Ravens, Steelers, and Bills all needing to make a hire.

Given that factor, here's a look at the contract for the 73-year old coach, along with the buyout clause. If he decides to walk away on his own, there's a clear way out of UNC. 

Bill Belichick's buyout

If North Carolina were to fire Belichick at any point before Dec. 31 2027, the school would owe him everything he was set to be paid up to that date. As things stand currently, that would be over $22 million. It's one of the more affordable buyouts in college football. 

"The deal includes a $10 million buyout that Belichick would owe the school if he were to leave before June 1, a provision meant to protect UNC in the event he has a change of heart and opts to return to the NFL," according to The Athletic. 

However, that has expired and any NFL franchise or Belichick himself would owe UNC $1 million to make a jump back into the league. The $9 million reduction is huge to all this, if he plans to move on. 

Belichick said he "always wanted to coach in college," but it seems the sports is quickly evolving and might send him elsewhere. 

Bill Belichick's contract details

When the Tar Heels signed Belichick, the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach (two as an assistant with the Giants) was handed a five-year contract worth $50 million. The terms of his contract included guaranteed money for the first three years.

At $10 million per year, that's roughly one-fourth of the reported $200 million he made in the 24-year tenure with the New England Patriots. It's seem like a lifetime ago and now the franchise heads back to their first AFC Championship since his firing. 

Belichick signed a lucrative, multiyear deal before getting axed by Robert Kraft after the 2023 season. That lasted one year before he was out. 

Bill Belichick's UNC bonus structure includes performance-based incentives up to $1.75 million, according to The Athletic. Additionally, he can earn bonuses for academic success, such as achieving team GPAs of 3.0 or higher, as well as for coach of the year awards and final CFP rankings.

Bill Belichick's bonuses

Regular season wins

$350,000 for 12 wins

$150,000 for eight wins

$200,000 for reaching the ACC Championship Game, with an additional $100,000 for win$150,000 for any bowl appearance, increasing to $350,000 for an appearance in a "non-CFP Tier 1/elite bowl game."

College Football Playoff 

Participant: $750,000

Quarterfinals: $1 million

Semifinals: $1.25 million

Championship Appearance: $1.5 million

Championship Win: $1.75 million

Final CFP Rankings: Ranging from $250,000 for a Top 25 finish to $500,000 for a Top 5 finish

Coach of the Year

$100,000 for ACC Coach of the Year, and $250,000 for a National Coach of the Year award.

Academic Bonuses

Team GPA: Up to $150,000 for achieving a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Academic Progress Report (APR): A bonus of $100,000 if the team's APR is between 950 and 969, with additional bonuses for higher performance. 

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