Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

UNC Student Body President Responds to Belichick Controversy

Originally posted on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI
By Grant Chachere | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 4:10 PM ET

Bill Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina is off to a rough start. With just five games played, questions are already surfacing about whether the university will stick with the new coaching staff.

Carolina is 2-3 on the year with all three losses to Power Four programs: TCU, UCF, and Clemson. The combined outcome was 120-33 and the average margin of each game was 29 points. However, the on-field problems aren't the only issue

A report earlier this week described significant dysfunction within the program, raising questions about Belichick’s leadership. The situation has escalated to the point that UNC student body president Adolfo Alvarez publicly urged the university to launch an independent review, as he said in an interview with The Athletic.

"I do think that the university should launch an independent review of the culture that's happening within the team, in the locker room, because I think that there should be zero tolerance for non-compliance," Alvarez said.

As UNC’s student body president, Alvarez said his primary concern is the welfare of the team’s players, who are also students at the university.

"Even though sometimes student-athletes can be seen as young professional players, at the end of the day, they are students, they're young, and they are part of our community," Alvarez said. "They're under a lot of pressure and they're very often under the national media circus. Especially right now with Coach Belichick. "

That shouldn't come at the cost of their well-being, and their families also deserve to feel included, and they deserve to feel like they're getting the same consistency that UNC was known for under our last coach," Alvarez continued.

Belichick and athletic director Bubba Cunningham issued brief statements late Wednesday, but their lack of substance did little to address the wave of criticism from fans. Notably, Belichick was not Cunningham’s choice to lead the program, adding another layer of tension to the situation.

Belichick's Contract Details

North Carolina gave Belichick a five-year, $50 million contract with three years guaranteed. Should Belichick take another job, he would be required to pay North Carolina $1 million.

What makes matters worse is that the Board of Trustees made the hire without consulting athletic director Bubba Cunningham. Has the move been worth it? Right now, the answer is no.

The key date to keep in mind is Dec. 31, 2027. Under Belichick's contract, if UNC were to dismiss Belichick before December 31, 2027, the university would be required to pay him his full remaining contract through that date.

As things stand, that figure is north of $20 million, which makes Belichick's buyout the second-highest in college football history. That figure also does not account for additional amounts the university will owe General Michael Lombardi, as well as the rest of the coaching staff.

If Belichick decides to resign, the process is straightforward and significantly less expensive for North Carolina. According to his contract, should he step down, he must pay the university $1 million in liquidated damages.