Bill Belichick Named UNC's New Head Football Coach

Source: Lance King/Icon Sportswire for Getty Images

UPDATED 10:36 PM, December 11, 2024

It is official: Bill Belichick is heading to Chapel Hill!

UNC Football announced on Wednesday (Dec. 11) that the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach agreed to a five-year deal pending approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and Board of Governors.

According to WRAL, the board is expected to meet Thursday morning to approve the contract. Board approval of a contract is a necessary step in the process of hiring a new coach.

RELATED: REPORT: 6X Super Bowl-Winning Coach Bill Belichick Interviewed For UNC Head Coach Job

UNC Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said in a statement:

“This is an exciting day for Carolina football and our University. Carolina is committed to excellence and to creating an opportunity to succeed in everything we do, from the classroom to the field of competition. I know after speaking with Coach Belichick that he shares that commitment. His legacy speaks for itself, and we look forward to working together on the next chapter of Carolina football.”

Added UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham:

“We know that college athletics is changing, and those changes require new and innovative thinking. Bill Belichick is a football legend, and hiring him to lead our program represents a new approach that will ensure Carolina football can evolve, compete and win — today and in the future. At Carolina, we believe in providing championship opportunities and the best experience possible for our student-athletes, and Coach Belichick shares that commitment. We are excited to welcome him to Chapel Hill.”

Belichick has emerged as the focal point of the search, as his potential candidacy has been discussed for over a month. If given the job, he would replace Mack Brown, UNC’s all-time leader in coaching victories. Brown was fired on November 25, days before he coached the team in their 35-30 loss against NC State.

Despite not having experience in coaching college football, Belichick comes with a glowing NFL resume, including nine Super Bowl appearances as head coach and two more Super Bowl wins as a defensive coordinator.

After being let go from the Patriots last year, Belichick spent the year talking football on various shows.

“I’ve had a chance this year to take a longer look at college football during the college season, as opposed to in the spring from the draft perspective, and that’s been interesting, as well as staying up with pro football,” Belichick said Monday during an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show.” “It’s been a good year for me. I’ve learned a lot.”

RELATED: Super Bowl-Winning Head Coaches Who Were Head Coaches In College