Bill Belichick’s move to UNC continues to stir up drama. The six-time Super Bowl-winning coach taking up the gig in December was a surprise in itself, followed by speculation linking him with a return to the NFL. Then after it emerged that Belichick hadn’t inked a formal contract in North Carolina, it plunged his future in North Carolina into further doubt and UNC GM had to address the situation. But now it seems, Belichick will be on the touchline after officially signing the contract and its details have caught the attention of the fans.

The veil of mystery involving his new role as UNC Tar Heels head coach was lifted when details of his contract—which he signed officially on Thursday—surfaced online. The NFL coaching legend signed a five-year, $50 million deal to take the reins at UNC’s football program. On the surface, the contract appears modest by modern coaching standards. But the devil, as they say, is in the details—and the incentives.

Per the details of his contract, Belichick is set to make $10 million per season with a base salary of $1 million, while the other $9 million comes via monthly supplemental income. Notably, only the first three years are guaranteed by the university. While earning $10 million annually ties him for the sixth-highest-paid coach in college football, he is still behind the likes of Kirby Smart (Georgia) and Dabo Swinney (Clemson).

This certainly hasn’t gone down well with a section of fans online, who believe that contract is just about alright for a man whose name is synonymous with Super Bowl success. Then there is also the interesting buyout clause in his contract.

If the Cowboys- linked with Belichick, or any NFL side for that matter want to sign the highly successful football coach before June 1, 2025, they will have to fork out $10 million. Oddly, after that date, the buyout drops to only $1 million.

Still, the deal is packed with incentives and bonuses that could push his salary much higher and make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport. Wins, conference titles, playoff appearances, and national championships are standard fare for performance bonuses.

If North Carolina makes the College Football Playoff, the former Pats coach will get a bonus of at least $750,000. A quarterfinal appearance earns him $1 million, $1.25 million for making the semifinal and finishing runner-up in the national championship game will fatten his pocket by $1.5 million. If the team wins the national title, he pockets a cool $1.75 million bonus. The deal calls for him to only receive the maximum available bonus in any season.

Belichick’s bowl bonus is at least $150,000, but he’d get $350,000 if the team made a “non-CFP Tier 1/elite bowl game,” like the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Gator Bowl, or Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Moreover, if the Tar Heels finish a season ranked in the top 25 of the College Football Playoff rankings, Belichick will receive at least $250,000, which rises to $500,000 for a top-five finish.

Top Comment by Al Madden

I don’t get it, some of these other college coaches get paid by far a lot more, and if you...more

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Then there’s the fine print, which offers a glimpse into what some have described as a “retirement” gig for the coaching icon. A vehicle allowance of $7,500 or access to a leased car might seem trivial for someone with Belichick’s bank account, but it’s the principle of it that fans are chewing on.

Toss in 25 hours of private jet use per year and a Chapel Hill Country Club membership with guest privileges for his staff and their families, it sounds like a good deal overall. The HC also has access to the suite at all football home games and access to the athletic director’s suite for the away games.

While none of these perks are outlandish by the standards of high-stakes sports contracts, they certainly add a touch of luxury to the life of a man who’s already used to the finer things. However, not everyone is sold on this arrangement.

Critics were quick to point out that Belichick’s contract isn’t just a reflection of his prestige but also a statement about the priorities of big-time college football. Some even called out the perks on offer in Belichick’s contract and questioned whether they were needed at all. After Sports Illustrated highlighted the other perks of Belichick’s deal, fans flocked to the comment section to give their thoughts.

Fans left underwhelmed by Belichick’s UNC contract

For a state-funded university, such perks inevitably raise questions about the allocation of resources, especially in the context of rising tuition costs and strained public funding for education. The $100,000 relocation allowance, for instance, became a lightning rod for online criticism, with fans wondering why a multimillionaire couldn’t cover his own moving expenses. As one fan joked, “$100k just to move lol. I can barely afford to top off the tank when I return the U-Haul. 😂” Along the same lines, another fan pointed out, “Like he can’t afford to relocate himself lol.”

Now that the deal is final, it will put rest to the rumors of him moving to the NFL. Last week when CBS reported that Belichick is yet to officially put pen to paper it caused quite a stir. The report noted that the lack of a signed contract “could lead to a legal gray area about how much, if any, of a buyout there would be,” if an NFL franchise pursued him. UNC GM Michael Lombardi then clarified his status on the Pat McAfee Show, saying that Belichick “isn’t going anywhere” and that in a “state institution, it takes a while to get things done.” 

It appears it took some time, but UNC has secured Belichick for the foreseeable future. But again, fans were left underwhelmed by the status of his contract. “None of this looks unreasonable for this day and age in sports and a coach of his stature. Actually seems quite mild,” one user commented under an SI post that detailed the perks of Belichick’s deal. Another fan simply wrote, “Cheap.”

In a world where the top college coaches are earning north of $10 million annually, Belichick’s package feels relatively restrained, even with the added luxuries. For a program eager to make a statement and put UNC football back on the map, Belichick’s name alone is worth every penny. Still, Belichick’s salary is behind some of the highest earners in CFB.

Kirby Smart is the highest-paid coach in college football, raking in over $13 million annually. Dabo Swinney is making $11.1 million for his role as HC in Clemson. You would’ve thought for a coach, who established the Patriots dynasty and dominated the NFL a similar base figure would’ve been in place, but that’s not the case.

A fan pointed out that Belichik’s deal was “No different than any other college coaches contract.” Lincoln Riley has a similar contract at USC, though his base salary is slightly above $10 million, and enjoys perks such as 24/7 unlimited use of a private jet for family. USC also bought a $6 million house for him in LA.

And then some viewed the contract as emblematic of a larger issue. “Yep. And raise tuition to pay for it Yep. And raise tuition to pay for it. Basically the poor feel it smh. Because they the one get deny a education,” one user lamented. Well, it’s unlikely that Belichick’s contract will have any direct impact on tuition rates. But it’s a debate that has simmered for years and one that Belichick’s deal—fair or not—has reignited.

Meanwhile, one fan cheekily asked, “Was Robert Kraft lowballing him in New England?” Belichick was reportedly making $20 million per year in New England during his recent stint, with some reports suggesting that he made $25 million.

Belichick will be under a massive lens once the season begins. His name and reputation bring their own hype, but his contract details will only add to the scrutiny. UNC has got their man, but it remains to be seen how long and fruitful the partnership is.