Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Moments after telling a room full of media members and his new bosses and colleagues at the University of North Carolina that his first words were “beat Duke,” new Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick was asked about the possibility of him coaching for a couple of seasons in Chapel Hill before going back to the NFL.”I didn’t come here to leave,” Belichick said and was greeted by clapping and cheers.
Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels. That sentence stills seems weird to write.
Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels. That sentence stills seems weird to write.
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Perhaps not, but the details of the 72-year-old’s contract with UNC will make it easy for him not to stay in Carolina Blue if he gets an opportunity to return to the NFL to chase Don Shula’s all-time wins record. Chiefs’ Hollywood Brown Receives Full Clearance to ReturnBelichick’s five-year deal, which pays $10 million annually and includes up to $3.5 million in annual incentives based on wins, conference championships, postseason success, final poll ranking, coach of the year votes and academics (haha), includes a $10 million buyout clause. Chargers’ Justin Herbert in Danger of Missing Week 15For someone like Belichick, who was earning upwards of at least $20 million a year during his final years in New England, $10 million isn’t all that much. Then there’s this: The $10 million, drops to just $1 million on June 1, 2025. For those keeping score at home, that’s about six months from now and long before his new team, his new team is scheduled to play a down of competitive football. Chiefs’ Hollywood Brown Receives Full Clearance to ReturnAlthough it’s likely that all the soon-to-be vacant NFL head coach jobs will be filled by June, it won’t cost much for a pro team that has a rough start to next season to come knocking and purchase Bill’s rights from UNC. Sure, the optics wouldn’t be great, but since when has Belichick cared about public perception?As Sportico notes, UNC has made it far easier for Belichick to leave than it would be for some of his new peers to jump ship. “Colorado coach Deion Sanders, another notable name with potential NFL suitors, would have owed his school $15 million if he left after the first season of his five-year deal with the Buffaloes. It lowered to $10 million after this year, and continues to drop over the course of his tenure,” per the publication. “Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, who just reworked his contract in the middle of an 11-1 season, would owe the school $13 million if he left in year one of the new deal, and $10 million if he left in year two.”Will Bill “Beat Duke” Belichick make it to year two at UNC? It hardly seems like a lock.For more on football, head to Newsweek Sports.