Bill Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina is already under scrutiny, but moving on from the legendary NFL coach wouldn’t come cheap. The Tar Heels are locked into one of the most expensive buyout agreements in college football.
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Belichick’s Rocky Start at UNC
When UNC stunned the sports world by hiring the six-time Super Bowl champion, optimism surged in Chapel Hill. But less than half a season in, the results have been grim:
- North Carolina hasn’t beaten a Power Four opponent.
- Blowout losses by 34 and 25 points highlight the struggles.
- Clemson hung 28 first-quarter points on the Tar Heels — the most ever given up by a Belichick-coached team at any level.
Fans are already questioning whether the 73-year-old can turn things around, but UNC’s administration faces a much tougher question: can they even afford to make a change?
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The Cost of a Bill Belichick Buyout
Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million contract when he joined UNC, with guaranteed money locked in for the first three years. That contract structure creates a massive financial roadblock for the school.
- Buyout exceeds $20 million: If UNC fires Belichick before December 2027, the school owes him the remainder of those guaranteed years.
- Top-five all-time buyout: Anything above $17 million ranks among the five largest buyouts in college football history.
- Exit penalty for Belichick: If Belichick leaves on his own to take another job, he owes UNC $1 million. That figure was reduced from $10 million after June 1, 2025.
This means North Carolina would be on the hook for more than $20 million if it decides to part ways now — a staggering sum for a program that doesn’t have the financial muscle of SEC or Big Ten giants.
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Why the Buyout Matters
The sheer size of the buyout means UNC’s hands are tied in the short term. While fans may be clamoring for a change, the administration must weigh the long-term costs:
- Paying out Belichick could cripple UNC’s football budget.
- A top-five buyout could limit future coaching hires and facility upgrades.
- Donors would likely be leaned on heavily to cover the payout.
For context, most schools facing multimillion-dollar buyouts rely on booster collectives and outside fundraising. But a $20+ million figure for a coach just months into his tenure is unprecedented.
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Can North Carolina and Belichick Turn It Around?
For now, the simplest path forward may be patience. Belichick’s NFL résumé and reputation as a football strategist remain unmatched, but his adjustment to the college game has been rocky. Unless he chooses to step aside on his own — and pay UNC $1 million to leave — the Tar Heels may be locked into this experiment until at least 2027.
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Bottom Line
Bill Belichick’s buyout makes him one of the most expensive coaches to fire in college football history. For North Carolina, that means moving on now would cost upwards of $20 million — a price tag that may force the school to ride out the storm and hope the legendary coach can right the ship.