The sight of six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick at the helm of North Carolina Tar Heels football still feels surreal. He was officially introduced as the Tar Heels’ new head coach on Thursday, Dec. 12.
At 72, the NFL icon insists he hasn’t lost his passion for coaching, joking, “It beats working.” However, the unexpected transition from the NFL sidelines to college raises questions about how long he’ll stay.
Colin Cowherd Gives Bill Belichick One Year Before NFL Return
NFL analyst Colin Cowherd has a bold prediction: Belichick’s college stint might last just one year. According to Cowherd, Belichick’s contract has critical fine print, allowing him to leave as early as June 2, 2025, opening the door for a quick NFL return.
The 60-year-old sportscaster believes this move is a strategic “rehab” for Belichick. He aims to rebuild his image following last year’s struggles in the NFL. “This college football thing didn’t come to him; the NFL left him,” Cowherd said on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.”
“I think Belichick’s going to stay one year at [North] Carolina, get exhausted by the tedium which is known as college athletics, and go back to the NFL because I do think next year he’ll get a job offer, and this is all rehabbing,” Cowherd continued.
Hear @ColinCowherd out…
"Bill Belichick can enter the portal they say… My prediction, he'll stay a year and goes to the NFL and will get an offer." pic.twitter.com/TpS0YK6LEG
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) December 13, 2024
Belichick’s five-year deal, which pays $10 million annually, includes a $10 million buyout fee if he exits before June 1, 2025. However, there’s a catch — it drops to $1 million afterward. The specific date is key, as it is a pivotal one in NFl circles during the free agency cycle.
Cowherd believes Belichick’s long-term loyalty to UNC is questionable, particularly given ongoing challenges within the school’s athletic administration. For now, Belichick’s focus is on elevating UNC football.
The program, while recognized nationally, has struggled to maintain consistent success, especially with its football program. The university is spending heavily for the former Patriots HC’s arrival: $10 million allocated for assistant coaches and $5.3 million for support staff.
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham reinforced the importance of football for the school’s national relevance. He stated, “Football is the economic driver in college sports, and we need to be really good to remain relevant.”
Nonetheless, Belichick was more than clear about his commitment to UNC during Thursday’s press conference.
Bill Belichick asked about leaving for the NFL in the near future: "I didn't come here to leave" pic.twitter.com/07jHdtrRpm
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) December 12, 2024
Cowherd remains unconvinced. He views the move as a calculated effort to portray Belichick’s adaptability and prove he’s not “the old crusty guy” some perceive.
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The future aside, for now, Belichick is locked into a high-stakes project in Chapel Hill, N.C., but if Cowherd’s prediction holds true, this may be a pit stop on his journey back to the NFL.