Grant Halverson/Getty Photographs
If Invoice Belichick does not discover his manner again to the NFL, he may discover himself in Canton as an alternative.
In response to Mike Sando of The Athletic, Belichick changing into head coach at North Carolina makes him eligible for a spot within the 2026 Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame class if he does not come again to the NFL by that point. The Corridor requires coaches to be at the least one yr faraway from the league earlier than they are often thought-about.
Belichick’s potential 2026 induction would imply that different coaches in line for Corridor consideration resembling Mike Shanahan and Tom Coughlin must wait a yr longer, per Sando.
After mutually agreeing to part ways with the New England Patriots on the finish of the 2023 season, Belichick signed a five-year contract price $50 million to affix the Tar Heels on Wednesday.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
BREAKING: Invoice Belichick is finalizing a deal to turn out to be the HC at UNC, per @AdamSchefter, @PeteThamel and @ClowESPN 🤯
One of many best NFL coaches of all time taking his abilities to Chapel Hill pic.twitter.com/7qmxtgLi1o
The 72-year-old may pursue a return to the league, although. He was reportedly within the New York Jets’ emptiness earlier than agreeing to phrases with North Carolina, whereas ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that there is a sense the NFL door is not closed on Belichick for good.
Belichick additionally has a $10 million buyout in his Tar Heels contract, but it surely drops to only $1 million in June 2025 (h/t Chris Vannini of The Athletic).
Chris Vannini @ChrisVannini
Invoice Belichick’s buyout to depart is $10 million… till June 1, 2025, when it drops to $1 million.
So it is going to be simple for Belichick to return to the NFL after one yr if the chance presents itself. pic.twitter.com/rrvaMci3DC
He expressed his dedication to the college throughout his introductory press convention at Chapel Hill.
CBS Sports activities School Soccer 🏈 @CBSSportsCFB
“I did not come right here to depart”
-Invoice Belichick when requested if he would return to the NFL if he has success at UNC pic.twitter.com/x2TqT4HtMT
If Belichick chooses to stick with the Tar Heels in 2026, his eventual Corridor of Fame choice is a no brainer. He is one of the crucial achieved coaches in NFL historical past, profitable six Tremendous Bowl titles with the Patriots and incomes two extra championships as a defensive coordinator of the New York Giants.
He owns an all-time head teaching document of 302-165.
Belichick may nonetheless pursue a return to the NFL, however he has a spot within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame ready if he stays at North Carolina.
