Bill Belichick is not legally bound to North Carolina. The 72-year-old head coach has yet to officially sign his contract with the university and continues to run the program in Chapel Hill on a handshake agreement.
This creates an unusual grey area in terms of his status with the Tar Heels.
Belichick, an eight-time Super Bowl champion, has never coached college football. Although he grew up around the UNC program, his coaching career began with the Baltimore Colts in 1975. He was also employed by the Lions, Broncos, Giants, Browns, Jets and Patriots.
Thus, it was expected that Belichick would receive multiple opportunities to return to the sideline when this year’s NFL coaching carousel began to spin. That did not happen— at first.
North Carolina decided to capitalize on the surprising lack of interest and hired him to replace Mack Brown after a lengthy negotiation process on both sides. Tom Brady later reached out about the Las Vegas Raiders’ opening. The Cowboys recently moved on from Mike McCarthy.
Belichick would reportedly like to coach in Dallas and was surprised when Jerry Jones was so adamant that he was going to retain McCarthy during the regular season. He took the job at UNC because he did not have another opportunity. He could still leave.
Belichick’s buyout will cost $10 million if he were to leave prior to June 1. It drops to only $1 million on June 1.
But that may not even matter. According to Jonathan Jones, Bill Belichick has not signed his contract.
He signed a term sheet proposal on Dec. 11, formally known as the ‘Proposal of Contract Terms and Conditions.’ It directly states that it is “understood and agreed that this proposal of terms and conditions shall not constitute a binding agreement.” It is the only signed document between Belichick and the university.
Although this kind of procedure is rather common in the coaching world, the circumstances could create a conundrum Would Bill Belichick owe a buyout if he was to leave the Tar Heels for the Cowboys tomorrow? That is unclear but Michael Lombardi says that it does not matter either way.
Bill is recruiting in DC today and Baltimore tomorrow. His focus is on North Carolina football, hiring staff members and developing the team. The NFL isnt a option so please stop making it one. Thank you.
— @mlombardiuncgm / X
If the general manager of North Carolina football insists that Belichick is not leaving, Belichick probably is not leaving. However, his past directly contradicts any verbal affirmations. He could still leave.