UNC Could Owe Bill Belichick $30M If He’s Fired in 2026

Bill Belichick’s time at North Carolina has been rough so far. Many fans worried about how he would adjust to college football, and a 4–8 first season didn’t make things any easier. Now, people are wondering if UNC should move on — but doing that would cost a huge amount of money.

According to Inside Carolina reporter Greg Barnes, UNC plans to keep Bill Belichick at least through the 2026 season. The reason is simple: his contract is very expensive to break. Belichick makes $10 million a year, and the school must pay him for his first three years, no matter what. That means if UNC fires him before 2028, they owe him $30 million.

The buyout doesn’t end there. If UNC fires Bill Belichick, they would also have to let go of several staff members who signed contracts for two or three years. Paying out those deals would also be included in the $30 million total, making a full reset extremely costly.

UNC is trying to rebuild its football program, and spending that much money on firing a coach would be a major setback. So for now, the school is giving Belichick another chance to adjust to the college game. Under Mack Brown, UNC never missed a bowl game. With Belichick, they missed one in his very first season — and several losses were blowouts.

There are still a few bright spots. Belichick’s name has helped UNC bring in talent, and their 2026 recruiting class ranks 17th in the country. But supporting that class and the new additions will cost UNC about $10 million, adding more pressure to make this hire work.

Because of all this, the 2026 season feels like a big turning point. Bill Belichick is a legendary NFL coach, but college football is a different world. If UNC struggles again in 2025, the noise around the program will only get louder.

Even with the tough start, Bill Belichick’s name still gets attention in the NFL. After rumors connected him to the New York Giants job, insider Josina Anderson reported that at least two NFL teams still want to talk to him privately. A third team could also join in if their front office makes changes.

If Bill Belichick ever decides to leave UNC on his own, he only has to pay the school $1 million — a tiny amount compared to what UNC must pay if they fire him. But for now, he seems ready to stay and try to turn things around. UNC will be hoping that sticking with him pays off before the buyout becomes the only option.

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