UNC finalizes deal to make Bill Belichick new football head coach: ‘This is an exciting day’

One of the winningest head coaches in NFL history is making the jump to the college ranks.

The University of North Carolina finalized a 5-year deal to name former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick the next head coach of the football program, according to the college’s official X account.

“I am excited for the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill,” Belichick said. “I grew up around college football with my Dad and treasured those times. I have always wanted to coach in college and now I look forward to building the football program in Chapel Hill.”

“This is an exciting day for Carolina football and our University,’’ said chancellor Lee H. Roberts. “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.”

The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach is just 16 wins away from the NFL’s all-time wins record but will forsake the opportunity to surpass Don Shula’s as the pro rank’s crown leader.

Belichick emerged as a surprising candidate for the Tar Heels job after the school dismissed Mack Brown. The longtime Tar Heels head coach racked up a career 113-78-1 record across two separate stints on Chapel Hill.

Inside Carolina first reported that Belichick had interviewed with UNC last week as the Tar Heels sought a replacement for Mack Brown. The school fired its all-time winningest coach and College Football Hall of Famer, announcing on November 26 he wouldn’t return for a seventh season in his second stint with the school.

The Tar Heels’ last postseason win came back in 2019.

Belichick told ESPN’s Pat MacAfee Monday that if he were to take the UNC job, he would closely emulate an NFL-style model.

“If I was in a college program, the college program would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players that had the ability to play in the NFL,” Belichick said. “It would be a professional program: training, nutrition, scheme, coaching, techniques that would transfer to the NFL.

The future Hall of Famer parted ways with the Patriots in January 2023, wrapping up a legacy in New England that includes six championships, 9 trips to the Super Bowl, 17 division titles, and 266 wins with the team.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2024 Cox Media Group