The coach with the most Super Bowl wins is coming to North Carolina. Bill Belichick, eight-time Super Bowl champion and former head coach of the New England Patriots has signed a five-year, 50 million dollar contract with the University of North Carolina’s football program as head coach. He comes in following North Carolina’s disappointing year, ending 6-6 under long-time head coach Mack Brown.

Though Belichick has never coached at the college level, he has mentioned in interviews that he has always wanted to and that coaching for UNC is a “dream come true.” His father, Steve, was an assistant coach at North Carolina in the mid-1950s.

With this move, Belichick becomes the oldest coach at the FBS level at 72 years old. Mack Brown, the man he’s replacing, previously held that title at 73. In Brown’s tenure at UNC, the Tar Heels failed to win a single ACC championship, with their most recent win being back in 1980. 

With him, Belichick brings former Cleveland Browns General Manager Michael Lombardi to serve as GM for the Tar Heels. This decision comes after some questions were raised about Belichick’s ability to coach at a college level. College football is very different from NFL football, with NIL, the transfer portal and recruitment marking significant differences in team management. According to Belichick, he will revolutionize the college game by creating a system that prepares student-athletes for the NFL.

Belichick has also noted taking inspiration from another FBS program, the Washington Huskies. His son, Steve, served as defensive coordinator in Washington, and according to Belichick, they are modeled similarly to an NFL team.

This ends the story of Bill Belichick’s NFL job search – for now – following the end of his six Super Bowl tenure in New England. His last years as coach of the Patriots were marred by disappointing performance following the exit of star quarterback Tom Brady, resulting in only one playoff berth under young players Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

Belichick will begin his UNC coaching tenure in 2025, taking over in time to lead recruiting and rebuilding efforts during the offseason.

UNC will end its 2024 season against the UConn Huskies on Dec. 28 in the Fenway Bowl.