Bill Belichick in college football sounded like a fever dream until North Carolina made it happen. The 6x Super Bowl champ was supposed to bring his “Do Your Job” mantra to Chapel Hill. Instead, he’s 2-3 with zero Power Four wins and a 38–10 beatdown courtesy of Clemson. The Belichick Experiment is spiraling. And here’s where things get spicy.

On October 8, NFL and CFB scout Ollie Connolly dropped a bomb on X. “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.” Yeah, the man who once out-schemed Peyton Manning is now looking for an exit ramp. All the buzz seems to drain away.

And it’s not just Bill feeling the heat. Connolly added, “Members of Belichick’s coaching staff have already spoken to other schools that are expected to be in the CFB Playoff about taking on roles during the postseason. From one coach: ‘the rats are leaving the ship. Some staffers believe a change will come within two weeks.” The Titanic is taking on water, and the lifeboats are filling fast. Some within the program think a change could come within two weeks.

When UNC hired Bill Belichick, they wrote a $50 million, five-year check with three years guaranteed. If they fire him before December 31, 2027, they’ll owe him nearly $30 million. If he walks before June 1, he owes them $10 million, which drops to $1 million after 2025. It’s not exactly a clean breakup, but it’s doable. North Carolina is in muddy waters, and there’s no escaping reality.

Connolly added, “Using recruit violations to knockdown a coaches buyout has become a standard practice. If Belichick cannot find a landing spot to trigger his own buyout, he’s excepted to accept a greatly reduced, compromised rate.” 

The wild part is that the chatter around Chapel Hill isn’t just about losses. It’s about violations, dysfunction, and disconnection. One anonymous UNC defensive assistant said, “What we’ve done to these kids is f—ed up.” So yeah, the Belichick era in Chapel Hill might be one of the fastest rises and falls in recent college football memory. Yes, it’s a complete car crash to the bottom. But hold up, there’s another twist coming.

Will Bill Belichick leave in 2025?

Insiders say Bill Belichick isn’t going anywhere just yet despite the storm clouds. According to Pete Nakos, a midseason firing “remains unlikely,” though the situation is “fluid.” So, UNC’s not ready to eat $30 million before Halloween. However, the assistants are another story. Freddie Kitchens, his offensive coordinator, is reportedly in the hottest seat. At the same time, CB coach Armond Hawkins has already been suspended for allegedly giving sideline passes to a player’s family, an NCAA violation.

On the gridiron remains another cause for concern. The Tar Heels have taken a beating, 72–19, in their last two games. For Bill Belichick, that isn’t acceptable. Pat Welter of WRAL reported that the Tar Heels’ program now resembles a locker room civil war. “A divided locker room, a disorganized coaching staff and a failure to communicate.” The UNC is being painted as a team in freefall. 

If things don’t change soon, Bill Belichick won’t just go down as the greatest NFL coach of all time – college football’s quickest flameout moniker looms over his head.