With rumors and reports swirling that Bill Belichick's time at the University of North Carolina could be coming to an abrupt end, the head coach and the school have released a joint statement saying they remain committed to each other.
It was reported Wednesday that Belichick, the former New England Patriots legendary head coach, and North Carolina, have already discussed potential buyout options for the head coach, and he could be off the job within the next few weeks. Belichick has even shown a willingness to "trigger his own $1 million if he can find a soft landing with another team or in media," according to UNC insider Ollie Connolly.
Per sources: Bill Belichick has discussed buyout options with North Carolina’s hierarchy. Belichick has signalled a willingness to trigger his own $1 million buyout if he can find a soft landing with another team or in media
— Ollie Connolly (@OllieConnolly) October 8, 2025Connolly also reported that UNC has already uncovered recruiting and practice violations by Belichick and his staff, which could lead to the head coach being fired for cause and not receive his full buyout from the university. It seemed like a parting of the ways was immanent throughout much of the day on Wednesday.
But Belichick and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham released a concise joint statement pushing back at an impending divorce late Wednesday evening.
"I am fully committed to the UNC program and what we're building here," Belichick said in a statement.
"Coach Belichick has the full support of the Department of Athletics and University," said Cunningham.
Statements from Carolina Athletics. pic.twitter.com/g8zn6WoxTW
— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) October 9, 2025Bill Belichick's first season at UNC
The Tar Heels fell to 2-3 on the season after a 38-10 loss to Clemson last Saturday. It was UNC's second straight blowout loss and the third time they've lost by at least 25 points this season.
But the issues at UNC go beyond the football field.
A report from WRAL on Monday painted the picture of a dysfunctional staff in Chapel Hill. While Belichick has been praised for his one-on-one coaching, his ability to run a program is being questioned by players and their families.
Complaints range from a lack of communication between the coaching staff and families, and the lack of college experience from Belichick's staffers. Students who transferred when Belichick took the job are also getting preferential treatment -- extra tickets, better parking spots -- over those who remained from the Mack Brown era, which has created a divide in the locker room.
"It's an unstructured mess," one source told WRAL. "There's no culture, no organization. It's a complete disaster."
Players and parents also weren't thrilled to hear that Belichick has banned the Patriots from UNC. Considering Belichick's big selling point was to prepare UNC players for the NFL, restricting one of just 32 options at the next level has backfired on the head coach.
Rumors of the school potentially looking to move on from Belichick reportedly stem from a rules violation from one of Belichick's staffers. UNC cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins was reportedly suspended this week for giving extra benefits to the families of Tar Heels players, via The Athletic.
Despite the issues on the field and the problems in the locker room, UNC is seemingly preaching some patience with Belichick in his first year as a college head coach. He's clearly trying to integrate some of the elements that made him one of greatest NFL coaches to the college game, but is finding out that's not how things work in college football.
Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million contract to become the head coach of the Tar Heels. Only the first three years of the contract are guaranteed, per USA Today.
While it seemed like Belichick's time at UNC could be coming to a quick end Wednesday evening, the school and the head coach say they remain committed to each other and are working hard to turn around the Tar Heels football program.
The University of North Carolina is off this weekend and will play its next game Oct. 17 at Cal.
