Bill Belichick is already on the recruiting trail, but it's officially official that he's North Carolina State's next head football coach after signing a contract.
And it's a deal with eye-popping numbers.
The Tar Heels released Belichick's contract, which runs through the end of 2029 Thursday. The 72-year-old makes $10 million per season, but his official base salary is $1 million.
For more sports coverage on foxnews.com, click here
New North Carolina Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick is a member of the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
The other $9 million is “Supplementary income.”
Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, will quickly become one of the top 10 highest-paid head coaches in college football. Seven coaches earned more than $10 million in 2024, according to USA Today.
The highest paid coach in the country is Georgia's Kirby Smart, who makes more than $13 million per season. Clemson's Dabo Swinney ($11.13 million), Texas' Steve Sarkisian ($10.6 million), USC's Lincoln Riley ($10.043 million), and Ohio State's Ryan Day ($10.021 million). Another national championship win.
North Carolina football GM will keep Bill Belichick in school, says NFL can get too political
Like many other contracts, Belichick's has incentives that will trigger a massive salary if met, including a $750,000 bonus if the Tar Heels reach the College Football Playoff. If they win the national title, Belichick will receive a $1.75 million bonus.
Other incentives include a $150,000 bonus for reaching a bowl game and a $350,000 bonus if the team makes an “elite” non-playoff bowl. These include the Poptarts Bowl, Gator Bowl, Duke's Mayonnaise Bowl, and more.
Bill Belichick, the new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, speaks with the media at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
Finally, a top-25 ranking at the end of the regular season triggers Belichick's $250,000 bonus. And he would like to get a $350,000 bonus for an elite bowl game if the Tar Heels finish in the top 25.
It has also been confirmed that Belichick has a buyout clause. This was widely reported as North Carolina's stipulation for getting a job in the NFL. If Belichick leaves UNC by June 1, the university will be owed $10 million. After June 1st, the acquisition will drop to $1 million.
However, even though multiple NFL teams have reportedly reached out to Belichick, he said in his introductory press conference that he is in Chapel Hill to stay.
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick answers questions during a press conference at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
He has already shown his commitment to the program by hitting the road and talking to recruits as he looks to build a playoff roster through the new NIL system.
Follow Fox News Digital's x sports coverageand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
