CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Bill Belichick cracked just a few jokes, held up an outdated UNC sweatshirt that belonged to his dad and vowed to convey an expert mannequin to North Carolina in his introductory information convention Thursday because the Tar Heels’ new head coach.
Belichick was greeted with a standing ovation when he entered the room to talk to an overflow crowd of media and UNC supporters, together with newly inducted College Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers.
In some ways, it felt surreal — a six-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, a large amongst coaches, sitting at a dais inside Kenan Memorial Stadium with Carolina blue seats simply exterior the suite doorways.
Belichick, who spent his whole profession within the NFL and is second solely to Don Shula (328) with 302 regular-season wins, mentioned he had all the time needed to educate in faculty.
“It simply by no means actually labored out,” Belichick mentioned. “Had some good years within the NFL, in order that was OK, however it is a dream come true. I grew up in faculty soccer with my dad. As a child, all I knew was faculty soccer.”
His dad, Steve, served as an assistant coach for the Tar Heels from 1953 to 1955. During his introductory feedback, UNC chancellor Lee Roberts pulled out a replica from the 1954 North Carolina media information and browse an excerpt about Steve Belichick that ended with a line about his 2-year-old son, William Steven. “Coach, welcome again to Carolina,” Roberts mentioned.
Roberts offered Belichick with a grey short-sleeved hoodie, the coach’s trademark look. Athletic director Bubba Cunningham then pulled out a swimsuit jacket with the sleeves torn off, one other ode to Belichick. At that time, Belichick mentioned he had his personal gear and pulled out a white hoodie his dad had throughout his time at Carolina.
“You can inform I preferred it,” Belichick mentioned. “I’ve stored it a very long time.
“It’s nice to come back again house to Carolina and again into the atmosphere that I actually grew up in. When you are little, you do not keep in mind every little thing. I used to be too younger to recollect numerous issues at Carolina, however as I grew up, you hear the identical story over and over and over. One story I all the time heard was, ‘Billy’s first phrases had been, ‘Beat Duke.'”
That line drew laughter and applause from the delighted supporters within the room. Belichick, 72, makes his first foray into faculty soccer after working in some capability within the NFL from 1975 till he and the Patriots parted methods after the 2023 season.
He replaces Mack Brown, 73, the winningest coach at school historical past. Brown, who was fired after a 6-6 season, ended his second stint on the faculty with a 44-33 file over six years and a 113-79-1 total mark with the Tar Heels.
“It beats working,” Belichick mentioned when requested why, at his age, he needed to get again into teaching after a 12 months off. “My dad instructed us, ‘When you’re keen on what you do, it isn’t work.’ I like what I do. I like teaching. I like the interplay with the gamers. I like constructing a group, game-planning, the sport itself. Working with younger children, with the vitality, enthusiasm — it is nice day by day to come back to that atmosphere.”
He additionally was requested whether or not he would return to the NFL if he has fast success in faculty.
“I did not come right here to go away,” Belichick mentioned. “I really feel like doing it a very long time. I’m good to go.”
Belichick mentioned Michael Lombardi, a former NFL govt who was an assistant with the Patriots from 2014 to 2016, will function the overall supervisor of the Tar Heels’ soccer program. Belichick additionally mentioned he’ll retain UNC interim coach Freddie Kitchens, the previous Cleveland Browns head coach.
North Carolina has performed soccer for 136 years, however its most up-to-date ACC championship got here in 1980. Football has largely taken a again seat to basketball, however bringing in Belichick represents a brand new period.
The faculty is making a big funding in soccer together with his rent.
“In the immortal phrases of Yogi Berra, ‘the longer term ain’t what it was,’ and we’re embarking on a completely new soccer operation,” Cunningham mentioned. “We cannot wait to have [Coach Belichick] main the cost for us.”
The five-year deal runs by means of December 2029 and is value $10 million per season — a $1 million base wage and $9 million in supplemental revenue. The first three years of the deal are assured.
Belichick additionally might obtain as much as $3.5 million per season in bonuses tied to regular-season wins, ACC championship recreation and postseason appearances, rating within the last CFP ballot, coach of the 12 months awards, and the group’s educational standing.
He could be liable for a $10 million buyout if he had been to go away UNC earlier than June 1, 2025. After that date, he’d should pay $1 million to finish his cope with UNC.
Cunningham instructed The News & Observer (Raleigh) that Belichick will proceed to make his common appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show” and the “ManningCast” on ESPN whereas he coaches UNC.
Many of the questions Thursday revolved round how Belichick’s NFL expertise will translate to a school soccer mannequin that appears extra just like the NFL — with the switch portal, NIL and upcoming income sharing that can function a wage cap.
Belichick mentioned the pinnacle coach/normal supervisor mannequin he’s bringing will assist with the transformation of UNC into an expert group.
“When I say a professional program, I’d say by means of my expertise, what we did when it comes to coaching, creating gamers, operating professional programs, professional methods,” Belichick mentioned. “So when the gamers go away right here, this is not going from the wishbone to a professional offense. It can be comparable terminology, comparable methods and fundamentals, comparable coaching, comparable preparation methods which have been very profitable for me by means of the years, whether or not different faculty groups use them or not. I imply, some are, some aren’t, however I simply know that these will put together the gamers for that.
“So the overall supervisor, head coach mannequin, it is a comparable sort of scenario for evaluating highschool children and faculty switch portal gamers. NFL groups are evaluating faculty gamers and NFL free agent gamers. So once more, there are some similarities.”
There can be a $10 million pool for Belichick’s assistant coaches, and $1 million for the energy and conditioning workers. The college additionally has allotted $5.3 million for a “assist workers,” which incorporates extra funding for the brand new normal supervisor place.
Belichick mentioned the time he spent round Washington, the place his son Steve served as defensive coordinator below Jedd Fisch, has additionally ready him for what’s to come back. He mentioned Washington is modeled after a professional program and that gave him concepts.
Belichick additionally famous that he fields many calls from coaches throughout conferences — from the Big Ten, ACC and SEC — over current guidelines modifications that moved the sport extra towards the NFL — from the two-minute warning to helmet-to-helmet communication and the usage of tablets on the sideline.
As for recruiting, Belichick mentioned that he appeared ahead to persuading gamers to come back to North Carolina and that he’ll recruit nationally.
“The recruiting course of belongs to everybody,” he mentioned. “Whatever helps our group, that is what I need to do.”
