Bill Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina could be coming to a stunning — and controversial — end.
The 73-year-old coach enjoyed historic stability with the New England Patriots, staying for 24 years before departing following the 2023 season. His time at Chapel Hill, however, has been far from harmonious. After a string of losses — and amid allegations of NCAA violations — North Carolina appears poised to make a change just five games into Belichick’s collegiate coaching career.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Will Bill Belichick get fired?
Belichick's first season in Chapel Hill has been one to forget thus far. Losses have piled up — so much so that North Carolina reportedly opted to forego its participation in a Hulu docuseries chronicling the team's trials and tribulations during the 2025 season.
Recent reports indicate more changes could be on the horizon for the Tar Heels. On Oct. 8, 247Sports' Andrew Jones reported that "potential exit strategy discussions" took place regarding Belichick's future at North Carolina. That doesn't necessarily mean Belichick will be sacked, but the idea has been floated in "preliminary conversations."
While the Tar Heels could very well finish with a worse record than they did under Mack Brown last year, the decision to potentially remove Belichick from his post appears to be related to potential rules violations committed by Belichick's coaching staff. On Oct. 7, cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins was suspended. He is alleged to have offered extra benefits to a player's family members — a violation of NCAA rules.
Per Jones, Hawkins' alleged transgression is one of "many other violations that have occurred, many on the recruiting front.”
WRAL's Pat Welter reported that there is upheaval in Belichick's ranks. Citing interviews with players' families and unnamed sources, Welter spotlighted some of the issues that have surfaced during Belichick's tenure.
Among them, Welter claims, is North Carolina's organizational structure. According to Welter, the Tar Heels' coaching staff has faced questions about its experience level and "perceived nepotism." Belichick hired his sons, Steve and Brian. He also appointed Matt Lombardi as the team's quarterback coach — son of team general manager Michael Lombardi.
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Bill Belichick UNC record
Through five games, Belichick is 2-3 as North Carolina's taskmaster. The Tar Heels claimed victories over Charlotte and Richmond. Meanwhile, their losses to TCU, UCF and Clemson came by a combined 83 points.
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UNC record by year
Under Mack Brown's tutelage, the Tar Heels never won fewer than six games. The season is still young in Chapel Hill. But they're currently on pace to fall short of those standards.
Here's a look at how the Tar Heels fared over the past decade prior to Belichick's arrival.
| Years | Record (Conference) |
| 2015 | 11-3 (8-0) |
| 2016 | 8-5 (5-3) |
| 2017 | 3-9 (1-7) |
| 2018 | 2-9 (1-7) |
| 2019 | 7-6 (4-4) |
| 2020 | 8-4 (7-3) |
| 2021 | 6-7 (3-5) |
| 2022 | 9-5 (6-2) |
| 2023 | 8-5 (4-4) |
| 2024 | 6-7 )3-5) |
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Bill Belichick contract details
- Years: Five
- Value: $50 million
Belichick inked a five-year, $50 million deal to become North Carolina's head coach in Dec. 2024. The money is broken down as follows: Belichick receives a base annual salary of $1 million, with a supplemental income of $9 million tacked on.
While the contract is set to run for five seasons, just three of those years are guaranteed. His contract also comes replete with several incentive-based bonuses, from a $200,000 add-on if the Tar Heels make it to the ACC Championship to a $1.75 million pay bump if they win the College Football Playoff. Per the terms of his agreemeent, Belichick would owe North Carolina $10 million if he opted to leave the school before June 1, 2025. If he leaves after that date, that figure drops to $1 million.
Bill Belichick buyout details
With another four years and $40 million left on his deal after this year, Belichick appeared on pace to fetch a healthy buyout. However, recent reports indicate that he could exit stage left via a $1 million buyout.
Insider Ollie Connolly reported that Belichick is open to activating a $1 million buyout to leave the Tar Heels, assuming he can find a "soft landing spot" via another coaching gig or an analyst role in the media.
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Bill Belichick firing updates
(All times Eastern)
Wednesday, Oct. 7
12 p.m.: The Tar Heels will be without cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins for an undisclosed amount of time. He was handed a suspension amid allegations that he offered extra benefits to players, which is prohibited under NCAA rules.
Wednesday, Oct. 8
12 p.m.: All is not well in Chapel Hill. WRAL's Pat Welter reported that Belichick's program is under fire. Per Welter, the Tar Heels are swept away in a wave of cronyism and potential recruiting allegations.
1 p.m.: Per 247Sports' Andrew Jones, North Carolina brass is already discussing potential exit plans. Things don't appear imminent at the moment, although Jones did posit that the Tar Heels could let go of their newly-minted tactician.
5 p.m.: Insider Ollie Connolly offered additional insight into Belichick's conversations with North Carolina's hierarchy. Per Connolly, Belichick would be willing to trigger his own $1 million buyout assuming he'd immediately land another gig — be that as a coach or media analyst.
Members of Belichick's staff is already fielding interest from potentially CFP-bound sides, according to Connolly. Rumors of additional recruiting and practice violations linger over the program. Those violations could facilitate a knockdown in his buyout fee, Connolly reported. He is likely to take on a "greatly-reduced fee" if he does leave.