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Bill Belichick looks set to be the next head football coach at the University of North Carolina. He’ll take over for the previously fired Mack Brown, who was relieved of his duties after spending the six seasons in Chapel Hill.
The move provides the fanbase with a sense of excitement after going 49-51 across the last eight years. It looks as though the Tar Heels will have all the resources necessary to compete in this new era of college football.
Belichick’s name holds major weight given his success in the NFL with the New England Patriots. After parting ways with his previous organization, he’ll take a stab at the NCAA.
Adam Schefter broke news of his hiring on Wednesday. It put a close on the North Carolina coaching search after reports of his initial interview with the program circulated earlier this week.
Bill Belichick is finalizing a deal to become the new head coach at North Carolina, sources tell @AdamSchefter,@PeteThamel and @ClowESPN. pic.twitter.com/7uFDRsnl0i
— ESPN (@espn) December 11, 2024
Brendan Marks of The Athletic says he expects the contract to be a five-year deal worth $50 million. That would make him one of the highest paid coaches in the nation on an annual basis. His NIL budget is expected to rival top competitors, too.
North Carolina has long been a basketball school with spurts of football success sprinkled in. The commitment to the gridiron isn’t always evident.
That’s obviously changed with Bill Belichick in the fold as donors are rumored to be opening up their checkbooks for football support. Matt Hayes of the USA Today sports network claimed that the Tar Heels could see a significant NIL boost with their new head coach at the helm.
Source tells me UNC will increase NIL package for football from $4 million to $20 million in effort to land Belichick.
— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) December 11, 2024
That $15 million+ bump has nothing to do with revenue sharing that’s soon to start for all schools, Hayes says. If true, UNC will have plenty of cash on hand to land top talent.
In today’s college sports landscape, coaches have the task of both recruiting new players through high school and the transfer portal and re-recruiting their current rosters in order to prevent stars from speaking with other suitors. Belichick’s presence, and that hefty NIL budget, might be giving Tar Heels who were once considering a transfer some pause.
North Carolina has about a dozen players currently in the portal. Some have already posted messages on social media of hesitation.
Travis Shaw, a former five-star defensive lineman, posted a cryptic message on X amid speculation of Bill Belichick’s hiring. Was he rethinking his decision?
🧐
— Travis Shaw (@cheesy_Trav18) December 10, 2024
Teammate Austin Blaske cut past the guessing game and pulled his name out of the portal altogether on Wednesday. Aidan Banfield did the same on Thursday. NIL might have something to do with it!
I have decided to take my name out of the transfer portal…. #GoHeels #gdtbath
— Austin Blaske (@AustinBlaske) December 11, 2024
Bill Belichick appears ready to lead North Carolina to new heights. He seems to have the support of Tar Heel boosters. The head coach should have all he needs and more to compete both on the field and the recruiting trail. Exciting times in Chapel Hill.