UNC made serious noise when they handed Bill Belichick a $10 million deal to take over as head coach last December. But that was just the start. Add in $3.5 million in bonuses, $10 million for assistants, $1 million for strength staff, and $5.3 million for support roles—UNC football is officially in big-money territory. And that’s before counting the $13 million NIL pool and $7 million in buyouts for Mack Brown’s exit. As of now, with the budget ballooning past $48 million, UNC’s flashy eight-figure move has everyone talking. You can say the Belichick era isn’t just bold—it’s expensive and loud.
Look, Bill Belichick didn’t just bring the name—he brought the bag. After stacking UNC’s staff with NFL minds and trusted faces, the money talk has officially kicked in. On April 8, InsideCarolina dropped the numbers—and heads turned fast. From Steve and Brian Belichick to Freddie Kitchens and Matt Lombardi, this staff isn’t just elite, it’s expensive. To be honest, Belichick’s bold rebuild is starting to feel like an NFL franchise dressed in Carolina blue.
UNC is shelling out big bucks—but not the full bag just yet. According to Monday’s UNC system salary data, the Tar Heels are spending nearly $12.5 million on Belichick’s army of assistants, front office, strength coaches, and support staff. However, when Belichick signed on, the deal included a massive $16.3 million salary pool to build his dream team. Fast forward to now. They’re coming in about $4 million under that cap. Still pricey. Still powerful. But UNC might just be saving a few chess pieces—and dollars—for later.
However, while the numbers are in, Belichick’s blueprint at UNC isn’t coming cheap. According to Monday’s updated financials, Carolina is dishing out just under $7 million to 14 assistant coaches. Add in $3.7 million for the new front office, run by GM Michael Lombardi. Then tack on $1.1 million for strength staff and $735,000+ for support roles. So, all together? A jaw-dropping $12.47 million price tag. Honestly, it’s clear—Coach Belichick is building a powerhouse, and UNC is all in.
UNC is spending nearly $12.5 million in total salary for the assistant coaches, front-office department, and other football staff members working under Bill Belichick.
Here’s @adam_smith_IC with more. Read: https://t.co/6TyW5iRgDS pic.twitter.com/2yPcnsGQeu
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) April 7, 2025
And that’s before you even get to the main headline—Bill Belichick’s monster deal. UNC locked him in with a $50 million, 5-year contract. That’s double what Mack Brown made. But when you’re getting the man with 6 Super Bowl rings and a claim as the greatest coach in football history? You pay the price. So, Carolina didn’t just make a hire—they made a statement. No surprise here—UNC’s top-dollar assistants are right at the heart of the action. DC Steve Belichick leads the way, pulling in $1.3 million. And not far behind is OC Freddie Kitchens, a familiar face from the Mack Brown era, earning $1.15 million. Looks like big paychecks to match big names.
However, UNC’s operation is a family-fueled machine with serious cash behind it. Look, Matt Lombardi, son of GM Michael Lombardi, and Brian Belichick, Bill’s youngest, are key pieces in the Belichick-era blueprint. As of now, the 14 assistant coaches are earning a combined $6.98 million, staying over $3 million under the agreed $10 million cap. Meanwhile, GM leads a stacked front office, taking home a major cut, with his personnel crew also commanding strong salaries. All told, UNC is investing big into its new football empire—and it shows.
With such a massive investment, recruiting wins are only natural—and UNC is already proving it under head coach Belichick’s bold and risky math.
UNC’s success in recruiting
UNC just scored a big win on the trail. Well, 3-star wideout Kei’Maurii Miles out of Carver made it official Monday—he’s Chapel Hill-bound. You know, after a March visit that clearly hit home, and Miles told On3, “I’m loving them right now. They show a lot of love…they treat me like family.” So, the Tar Heels’ recruiting machine under Belichick keeps rolling. And this latest pickup? Feels personal.
However, Bill Belichick is heating up on the 2026 trail. After landing four-star O’Mari Johnson on Sunday, the Tar Heels doubled down with a second receiver commit in as many days—Kei’Maurii Miles. Right now, the 6’1″, 145-pound Georgia native brings speed and upside. Ranked No. 165 WR nationally and No. 109 in Georgia by On3, Miles adds more firepower to Carolina’s future arsenal.
So, that being said, the Belichick era is already making noise. And the momentum hasn’t stopped—if anything, it’s only picking up speed. Commitments have rolled in nonstop since the close of the 2025 cycle, and now UNC’s 2026 class boasts 11 solid pledges. However, leading the charge? 4-star D-lineman Trashawn Ruffin, a transfer from Texas A&M, ranks higher than the freshly added O’Mari Johnson.
To be honest, the Tar Heels are building a future powerhouse—one recruit at a time.
The post UNC’s Flashy 8-Figure News on Bill Belichick’s Staff Turns Heads Amid Tar Heels’ Massive Recruitment Win appeared first on EssentiallySports.
