Bill Belichick's buyout details: Here's how much it will cost UNC to fire NFL legend coach

Bill Belichick's buyout details: Here's how much it will cost UNC to fire NFL legend coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

North Carolina made headlines two years ago when it decided to hire one of the NFL's greatest coaches of all time, Bill Belichick.

But Belichick's first season at UNC in 2025 was anything but pretty. The Tar Heels opened the season with a 48-14 home loss to TCU and finished 4-8 on the year. It marked the fewest wins for the Tar Heels since Larry Fedora went 2-9 in 2018.

North Carolina's lone wins came over Charlotte, Richmond. Syracuse and Stanford, with a 2-6 record in ACC play.  A cloud continued to hang over UNC weeks before the 2026 season, as it was announced North Carolina was placed under investigation by the College Sports Commission, which oversees compliance and enforcement of NCAA and NIL rules.  

UNC general manager Michael Lombardi was also placed under administrative leave by the school, reportedly stemming from a "human resources complaint filed by a former UNC front office employee." 

Here's a look at how much UNC would have to pay Belichick if he was fired this season.  

Bill Belichick contract details

Belichick signed a five-year contract with North Carolina, worth $50 million. His annual salary of $10 million a year in 2026 makes him one of the highest-paid head coaches in college football. 

Per On3Sports, Belichick is the No. 15 overall highest-paid head coach in all of college football. His $10 million puts him right alongside the likes of Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman and Colorado's Deion Sanders. 

However, Belichick's contract was only fully guaranteed for three seasons per WRAL News.  

Bill Belichick buyout details

If Belichick is fired without cause this season, he would likely be owed roughly $20 million, which makes up the remaining two seasons on his contract. 

In this scenario, North Carolina would have to pay him what he was set to earn through Dec. 31, 2027.

If Belichick were to be fired for cause, however, the university wouldn’t be responsible for any of his salary, bonuses or supplemental income after the contract is terminated.

There are various clauses in Belichick's contract that could trigger a firing for cause. For example, if the ongoing College Sports Commission finds that Belichick knowingly violated NCAA rules while he was the head coach at UNC, it would trigger a firing for cause.

But there is one unique way that Belichick can also buy himself out of his UNC contract. Per WRAL, per Belichick would be required to pay Tar Heels $1 million in damages within 180 days if he chooses to end the contract. The clause was seen as an addition to his contract in case Belichick was offered another job elsewhere, like say, if the NFL came calling again.   

In January 2028, Belichick's buyout drops to $10 million, with one year left on his contract. 

Bill Belichick coaching record

For this, let's take a look at his coaching record with the New England Patriots as well, since he's only been at UNC for one season. As you can see, Belichick was among one of the most dominant head coaches in the NFL before quarterback Tom Brady left before the 2020-21 season. 

YearTeamRecordPostseason Result2026-27North Carolina0-0TBD2025-26North Carolina4-8Not eligible2023-24New England4-13Not eligible2022-23New England8-9Not eligible2021-22New England10-7Lost in Wild Card2020-21New England7-9Not eligible2019-20New England12-4Lost in Wild Card2018-19New England11-5Won Super Bowl2017-18New England13-3Lost Super Bowl2016-17New England14-2Won Super Bowl2015-16New England12-4Lost AFC Championship2014-15New England12-4Won Super Bowl2013-14New England12-4Lost AFC Championship2012-13New England12-4Lost AFC Championship2011-12New England13-3Lost Super Bowl2010-11New England14-2Lost Divisional Round2009-10New England10-6Lost in Wild Card2008-09New England11-5Not eligible2007-08New England16-1Lost Super Bowl2006-07New England12-4Lost AFC Championship2005-06New England10-6Lost Divisional Round2004-05New England14-2Won Super Bowl2003-04New England14-2Won Super Bowl2002-03New England9-7Not eligible2001-02New England11-5Won Super Bowl2000-01New England5-11Not eligibleTotal Career--306-173--

Prior to joining the New England Patriots, he was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, where he finished 36-44 over five seasons. The Browns failed to make the postseason under Belichick, as his lone winning season came with Cleveland's 11-5 finish in 1994.

UNC's season kicks off on Aug. 29 against the TCU Horned Frogs in Dublin, Ireland. If North Carolina has another down season, or the results of the investigation show serious violations, the Tar Heels could choose to move on from their head coach.

Despite having never coached a down of college football before, the Tar Heels took a gamble on an eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach, with hopes that his success would translate to Chapel Hill. So far, things have not gone the way UNC would have liked