June 1 came and went. What does that mean for Bill Belichick, UNC football?
When the University of North Carolina hired Bill Belichick to be its head football coach, one particular date stood out on his terms sheet.
June 1, 2025.
Belichick’s contract buyout was $10 million if he terminated the agreement before June 1. It dropped to $1 million if he departed at any point after that date. This particular stipulation and the fact he did not sign the contract until mid-January fueled rumors and speculation that he may leave Carolina, before coaching a game, to accept an NFL job.
Prior to the contract’s signing, UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi responded to a Twitter post saying, “The NFL isn’t an option so stop making it one.”
Belichick has expressed commitment to and focus on the Tar Heels program through interviews at the ACC spring meetings and an appearance on Good Morning America.
The university is responsible for paying out the remainder of his salary and earned but unpaid bonuses if it terminates the contract without cause before Dec. 31, 2027. Belichick is earning $1 million in base salary per year and $9 million in supplemental salary. He can earn up to $3.5 million in annual performance bonuses. The contract is good for five years, but only the first three are guaranteed.
UNC committed to spending more than $50 million annually on salaries alone. In addition to Belichick’s $10 million, the school promised $10 million for his staff, $5.3 million for a general manager and front office staff, and $13 million in revenue sharing funds to obtain players.
The offseason conversation has not always been about Belichick’s coaching or the team. UNC has faced questions about Belichick’s girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, and her role with him and the university.
Chancellor Lee Roberts also shared support for Belichick at a Board of Trustees meeting last month.
“We think Coach Belichick is off to a phenomenal start,” Roberts said. “He’s done a terrific job recruiting, both out of high school and through the transfer portal. He’s built an excellent staff. We’re excited for the season opener in Kenan Stadium on Sept. 1. He put out a statement a couple of weeks ago that I thought was cogent. I don’t have anything to add to that.”
The athletic department reported a significant uptick in ticket sales since Belichick’s hire. It has sold out of season tickets and has seen an increase of roughly 35% year over year. The athletic department expects to be up 50% once it begins individual game ticket sales.
“It’s been the most significant uptick we’ve ever had,” UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said. “We think that the investment we’re making in the program itself will more than repay itself through those increases.”
Belichick makes his college coaching debut in less than 100 days against TCU at 8 p.m. Sept. 1 in Chapel Hill.
This story was originally published June 2, 2025 at 11:55 AM with the headline "June 1 came and went. What does that mean for Bill Belichick, UNC football?."
