Lawsuit claims UNC improperly hired Bill Belichick during private meetings

Lawsuit Challenges UNC’s Hiring of Bill Belichick

A lawsuit has been filed against the University of North Carolina (UNC) and its board of trustees, alleging illegal hiring practices regarding football coach Bill Belichick, who was gravely affected by lockdown measures last December.

Former UNC Provost Chris Clemens and attorney David McKenzie brought the case to Orange County Superior Court. They argue that Belichick’s hiring is part of a broader issue where important discussions occur behind closed doors at a public university.

The lawsuit claims that the university frequently holds closed sessions to avoid transparency on significant matters. One of the contentious points is the reorganization of potential meetings that remain undisclosed to the public.

Clemens has also alleged personal repercussions for revealing information about these closed meetings, particularly concerning tenure postponement discussions. In his capacity as Deputy Provost, he expressed that the board had shared their tenure policy stance after private sessions, indicating that the public would be aware of the lawsuit.

Regarding Belichick, the lawsuit states that “substantial deliberations occurred in secret” during an emergency board meeting on December 12, 2024. It argues that since Belichick’s compensation details were already known, there was no justification for a closed session.

The complaint further indicates that the board failed to provide adequate financial comparisons when discussing Belichick’s hiring, which draws into question the financial decisions affecting one employee while neglecting broader fiscal implications.

Beyond football, the lawsuit also mentions closed sessions from November 2023, where discussions about potential alignments within the ACC and financial outcomes from SEC or Big Ten memberships took place.

Additionally, it notes another reorganization meeting in May 2024. These sessions allegedly followed a predictable pattern, where the board routinely cited statutory exemptions and discussed matters that should have been openly shared.

Mackenzie, with a history of legal actions against UNC, initiated this latest lawsuit following the May 2024 meeting. A temporary restraining order was granted shortly after, halting further closed discussions related to athletics and budget concerns.

Belichick’s employment included a closed session lasting approximately 41 minutes, leading to his unexpected hiring considering his lack of prior college coaching experience.

The lawsuit outlines that Belichick’s contract includes a salary of $10 million per season and further financial incentives for his sons to join the coaching staff. It estimates the total agreement could reach tens of millions over five years.