Bill Belichick signed on as the head coach of the University of North Carolina’s football program and has finally started his era with the Tar Heels by continuing a long-time tradition from his time with the New England Patriots.
Belichick had one of the most illustrious coaching careers in NFL history with the Patriots that spanned over two decades, and while he may have long been ousted from New England, the New England habits are still there with him.
Bill Belichick Starts UNC Career With No Names Or Numbers on Uniforms In Practice
During his reign in New England, Belichick required the Patriots players to wear numberless jerseys during minicamp while the rookies were not assigned their digits until the first preseason game of the season.
When the 72-year-old strode out for his second practice session with the Tar Heels on March 5, similar scenes were witnessed as the players’ jerseys neither had the names nor numbers on them.
No names or numbers on jerseys for practice here at UNC. It’s the Belichick era for sure. @WRAL pic.twitter.com/e1N70MpWWB
— Chris Lea – Sportscaster (@ChrisLeaTV) March 5, 2025
Belichick explained the decision during a press conference afterward and suggested he wanted players to shun the “individual notoriety.”
“The numbers and clothes you wear is not as important as doing your job and being a good teammates,” he said, as transcribed by 247 Sports’ Ross Martin. “We did that in New England…. I don’t think that is important this time of year.”
#UNC HC Bill Belichick on not having player numbers or names on jerseys: “The numbers and clothes you wear is not as important as doing your job and being a good teammates… we did that in New England… I don’t think that is important this time of year.”
— Ross Martin (@RossMartinNC) March 5, 2025
It seems the “Belichick Era” in college football and at UNC has finally started, but there’s still long before his magic comes into full play. The Tar Heels will play their first game under Belichick against the TCU Horned Frogs at UNC’s Kenan Stadium on September 1.
Belichick’s Contract With Tar Heels
Belichick’s contract with UNC is a five-year deal at a rate of roughly $10 million per season, but only the first three years are guaranteed.
Belichick will be one of eight coaches making at least $10 million per season in the collegiate ranks, joining Kirby Smart (Georgia), Dabo Swinney (Clemson), Steve Sarkisian (Texas), Lincoln Riley (USC), Ryan Day (Ohio State), Mike Norvell (Florida State), and Kalen DeBoer (Alabama).
He also gets incentives for regular season, intra-conference, and postseason performances. The most significant piece of his incentive structure is the team’s postseason performance. Belichick will be rewarded $200,000 for an ACC Championship Game appearance and an additional $300,000 if the Tar Heels win. He can also make up to $1.75 million if they win a College Football Playoff National Championship.
Since joining the ACC in 1953, the team has won five conference championships, with the most recent title coming in 1980. North Carolina has never won a national championship, nor has it ever appeared in a title game.
He does have a $10 million buyout before June 1, 2025, but with every head coach opening in the NFL filled, Belichick will all but certainly ride out the first year of his contract in North Carolina. When UNC plays their first game of the 2025 season, it’ll be even more surreal watching him call plays for a collegiate team.