Bill Belichick’s return to the sidelines is officially underway in Chapel Hill, and it’s coming with a major financial investment.
The legendary former Patriots head coach, who stepped away from the NFL after parting ways with New England in 2024, is now leading the North Carolina Tar Heels into a new era, one that starts with a high-profile season opener against TCU on September 1.
Belichick’s staff salaries revealed
Belichick replaced Mack Brown, who was let go following a disappointing 6-7 campaign in 2024.
UNC is banking on Belichick’s championship pedigree to restore the program’s national relevance.
That vision comes at a cost, $10 million for Belichick himself in 2025, and nearly $12.5 million more to build out his football staff.
According to reporting from 247Sports via Sports Business Journal, the university has allocated a total of $16.3 million to Belichick for staffing.
While the actual number spent comes in $3.8 million under that cap, it still reflects one of the most aggressive spending efforts in college football this offseason.
Leading the staff is defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who joins his father after years working on the Patriots’ sideline.
He’s set to earn $1.3 million this year.
Former Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens takes on the offensive coordinator role with a $1.15 million salary.
Former NFL executive Mike Lombardi, now UNC’s general manager, will be paid $1.5 million.
It’s a professional-grade operation being built in Chapel Hill, one that’s already generating buzz.
The Tar Heels’ 2025 recruiting class recently landed four-star wide receiver O’Mari Johnson, and a wave of transfers has arrived, drawn by the allure of Belichick’s NFL-style system.
Fox Sports has projected North Carolina as a top-three team heading into the new season, and fans will get an early look at the transformation during the “Practice Like a Pro” open session on April 12.
With 32 new players on the roster and a new staff on the field, the Belichick era is just beginning, but it’s already making noise.
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