Photo: Getty Images
North Carolina Tar Heels head football coach Bill Belichick and director of athletics Bubba Cunningham each issued a statement on the former multi-time Super Bowl champion's future with the program after a 2-3 start to his first season.
"I'm fully committed to UNC Football and the program we're building here," Belichick said.
"Coach Belichick has the full support of the Department of Athletics and University," Cunningham added.
The Tar Heels are coming off a blowout loss to Clemson and currently in a bye week as rumors have swirled on social media regarding Belichick's future with the program. UNC will face the California Golden Bears in a Friday night primetime matchup out of the bye, currently ranking 133rd out of 136 FBS teams in total offense with an average of 263.8 yards per game, as well as last among ACC teams in scoring with 18.8 points per game.
UNC cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins is also reportedly facing a suspension for alleged improper benefits, which included giving player's family members sideline passes for a game, the Athletic's Bruce Feldman reports. Belichick, who won a record six Super Bowls as a head coach and two as as an assistant, signed a five-year contract with UNC in December, though the fourth and fifth years aren't guaranteed, according to the term sheet, with Belichick potentially earning the rest of his salary, estimated to be roughly $20 million as of December 1, 2025, if he's fired without cause.
Belichick's contract also includes a key clause that was triggered over the summer, with his buyout dropping to $1 million if he chose to leave UNC, having previously been $10 million before June 1.