Bill Belichick longshot to complete North Carolina contract

One of the subtle surprises about Bill Belichick taking over as the head coach at North Carolina was the five-year contract signed by the 72-year-old.

The school's official statement came out a few hours after reports that Belichick had agreed to a three-year deal. That aligned with numerous analysts suggesting the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach might take the reigns in Chapel Hill for a few years before handing the reigns over to his son, Steve, who is currently the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington.

Instead, Belichick agreed to a deal with UNC until he's at least 77. And while his son still may join him and a succession plan might be in the works, Belichick appears solely committed to his foray into coaching college football.

Even the NFL might not be strong enough a draw to lure him away.

"I didn't come here to leave," Belichick said during his introductory press conference Thursday.

However, oddsmakers aren't as sure. an online sportsbook is offering +150 odds that Belichick will coach all five years of his contract, compared to -200 odds that he will be gone before its conclusion.

The sportsbook has opened several Belichick props. Among them:

BILL BELICHICK PROPS*

--Over/Under Years Belichick Coaches UNC: 2.5

--Over/Under 2025 Total Wins: 7

--Over/Under Number Current Power 4 Players Transfer to UNC for 2025: 13

--Will UNC Win Season Opener vs. TCU? Yes (-220)/No (+180)

--UNC-Clemson 2025 Look-Ahead Line: Clemson -6

--Will UNC Reach the 2025 CFP? Yes (+800)

--Will UNC Reach the 2025 ACC Championship Game? Yes (+500)

--Will UNC Win the 2025 ACC Championship Game? Yes (+1000)

--Will UNC Win 10 or More Games in 2025? Yes (+1000)

*an online sportsbook odds provided for entertainment purposes only

Belichick was asked on Thursday why he is trying his hand at the collegiate coaching level.

Well, Belichick's father, Steve Belichick, was an assistant coach at North Carolina from 1953-55 before enjoying a lengthy career at Navy. Bill Belichick honored that on Thursday by pulling out an old sweatshirt worn by his father during the latter's time at Chapel Hill.

"This is really kind of a dream come true," he said. "I grew up in college football with my dad, he was a coach at Navy for 50 years, so as a kid all I knew is college football. It's great to come back home to Carolina and back in an environment that I really grew up in."

Belichick also noted that his love of coaching was the inspiration to accept the position at North Carolina.

"Beats working," he said. "When you love what you do, it's not work. I love what I do. I love coaching. I love the interaction with the players, the building a team, working, the assistants, game planning, the games itself."

--Field Level Media