It’s finally over.
Bill Belichick’s long, twisting, annoying, unreliable sourced road to the head coaching job at North Carolina appears to have concluded, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pete Thamel and Pete Clow reporting that he is finalizing a deal to become the school’s next head coach.
Ian Rapaport of NFL Media confirmed the report.
Belichick’s deal is worth $30 million over the course of three years, according to Ralph D. Russo and Brendan Marks of The Athletic.
Belichick, whose interest in the job was first reported last week, was elevated into the role rather quickly.
UNC recently received an “organizational bible” from the 72-year-old, which outlined structure, payment plans and staffing choices that were deemed to be make-or-break factors in whether or not he’d take the job. The Tar Heels reportedly pushed back on some of his demands, though, that obviously wasn’t enough to break the two sides apart.
ESPN reports that the hiring was spearheaded by board chair John P. Preyer, who met with Belichick for five hours Sunday.
UNC will be Belichick’s first college coaching position of any type; he began his career with the Baltimore Colts and also had stints with the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. The Tar Heels face UConn in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 28, but it’s extremely unlikely the legendary New England head coach would be on the sidelines for that one.
Belichick immediately becomes the oldest coach in college football, sliding into the chair previously occupied by the man he’ll also be replacing at North Carolina — Mack Brown.
