NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
North Carolina Tar Heels football coach Bill Belichick vowed he had no interest in leaving the team and received support from the university amid rumors that the two sides were planning an exit.
As rumors grew on Wednesday, Belichick and athletics director Bill Cunningham issued statements.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick greets Richmond Spiders head coach Russ Huesman before the game at Kenan Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. (Bob Donnan/Image Images)
“I am fully committed to UNC Football and the program we are building here,” Belichick said.
Cunningham added: “Coach Belichick has the full support of the Department of Athletics and University.”
Belichick’s first 10 months at the helm have been tumultuous, to say the least, and starting the season 2-3 with a blowout loss against the Clemson Tigers on his resume hasn’t taken any of the pressure off.
Rumors arrived early Wednesday about Belichick and the school discussing a “potential exit strategy,” according to 247 Sports. North Carolina reportedly had “preliminary conversations” about firing Belichick, which would be a whopping $20 million buyout as part of his contract. However, 247 Sports noted that an alleged rules violation could help the program eliminate or reduce the termination.
Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney with North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium on October 4, 2025. (Bob Donnan/Image Images)
BILL BELICHICK IS ‘WORKING TO BE THE WORST COACH IN THE HISTORY OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL,’ SAYS PAUL FINEBAUM
College football writer Ollie Connolly added to the rumor by reporting that Belichick “discussed buyout options with the North Carolina hierarchy,” where he “signaled his willingness to trigger his own $1 million buyout if he can find a soft landing with another team or in the media.”
These rumors come as UNC is in the middle of its bye week, and it’s certainly not the way Belichick or anyone else envisioned his jump to college football after his illustrious NFL coaching career.
But while the product on the field hasn’t been great, there has also been some drama. Cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins was suspended for allegedly giving extra benefits to players, including sideline passes to family members. Not to mention, Belichick’s Hulu series will also reportedly be pulled.
A lawsuit has also been filed in North Carolina alleging that the university board illegally hired Belichick.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick, left, watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
The perception of Belichick and the program could change if the team starts winning.
North Carolina hits the road next week to take on the California Golden Bears and has the No. 19 Virginia Cavaliers and Syracuse Orange on its schedule this month.
