Belichick returned to American football for $30 million

Legendary American coach with Croatian roots Bill Belichick (72) became the new coach of the American football team of the University of North Carolina (UNC), announced the university from Chapel Hill. Belichick is an eight-time Super Bowl champion and the architect of one of the greatest sports dynasties of all time, the New England Patriots. &Ccaron spent 24 seasons as the head coach of the Patriots, winning six Super Bowls at their helm, and two more with the New York Giants as a defensive coordinator.

– I am excited about the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill. I grew up watching college football with my dad and cherished those times. I’ve always wanted to coach in college and now I’m looking forward to building the program in Chapel Hill – said Belichick, who will have his first coaching job since he and the Patriots parted ways in January.

Belichick agreed to a five-year contract that is still pending approval by the Board of Trustees, according to a university press release. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Athletic reported that the deal could be worth up to $30 million.

– This is an exciting day for American football in Carolina and our University – said the secretary of UNC Lee H. Roberts.

– Carolina is committed to excellence and creating opportunities for success in everything we do, from the classroom to the sports fields. After speaking with Coach Belichick, I know he shares that commitment. His legacy speaks for itself and we look forward to working together on the next chapter of American football in Carolina – he added.

Zagreb: NFL coach Bill Belichick received a residence permit |

Photo: Patrik Macek/PIXSELL

Belichick began his coaching career in 1975 as an assistant with the Baltimore Colts, and in 1985 he became the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, where he won the first two Super Bowls under the leadership of Bill Parcells.

Then in 1991, he was named head coach of the Cleveland Browns, which he led for five seasons. He was an assistant head coach in the New England Patriots for one season (1996), and two in the New York Jets before becoming the Patriots’ head coach in 2000. In Belichick’s 24 seasons as head coach, New England won 17 AFC East titles, made 13 appearances in the AFC champions gameunine times in the Super Bowl final, winning six titles in the process.

Belichick also has ties to North Carolina. His father, Steve, was an assistant coach for the Tar Heels from 1953 to 1955 before serving as an assistant coach at the United States Naval Academy for more than three decades. There, Bill Belichick attended team meetings and film sessions with his father. He knew the ins and outs of this complex game before he became a teenager and credits his father for teaching him the ins and outs of American football at a young age.

Belichick emphasizes his Croatian origin at every opportunity because Croatian President Zoran Milanovi in May of this year he was awarded the Order of Danica Hrvatska with the image of Franja Bučar. A few days later, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković presented him with a certificate of citizenship on the occasion of acquiring Croatian citizenship. Belichick was also a special guest of the Croatian football team at the preparatory match for the European Championship in Rijeka.