UNC Football Has Massive NIL War Chest, But Will Bill Belichick Use It Wisely?

• North Carolina boosted their NIL football budget from $4 million to $20 million, largely due to the hiring of legendary coach Bill Belichick.
• The Tar Heels were routed 48-14 by TCU in their first game at home on Monday night.
• Can Belichick use the money wisely and bring the Tar Heels to football relevance?

The North Carolina Tar Heels increased their NIL budget to $20 million and lured Bill Belichick, who coached New England, to Chapel Hill. But their first game was a disaster as the Tar Heels were soundly beaten by TCU at home.

Can Belichick right the ship and put that NIL money to good use, and take the Tar Heels to the top of the ACC?

Belichick Claims Team is “Better Than We Were Tonight”, But Needs Improvement

The Tar Heels were blasted 48-14 by TCU at home on Monday night, but Belichick seems optimistic and adamant that the team will improve. The internet, however, was ruthless.

Belichick said after the game:

"We're better than what we were tonight, but we have to go out there and show that and prove it. Nobody's going to do it for us. We're going to have to do it ourselves, and that's what we're going to do."

The Tar Heels scored first, and it was all downhill from there. Famous alumni like Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm, Lawrence Taylor, and basketball coach Roy Williams were in attendance. TCU scored 20 straight points to take a 20-7 lead into halftime, and kept their foot on the gas.

Belichick knows he has a big job ahead of him:

"We've got a lot of work to do. We'll get at it."

Can Belichick Use the NIL Money to Improve North Carolina Football?

It is reported that the Tar Heels boosted their NIL budget from $4 million to $20 million to improve their program. They also gave Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl winner, a five-year deal worth $50 million, and more than $5 million to improve his staff. CFP championship odds still had the Tar Heels as a long shot to win the title, but people thought maybe they could challenge in the ACC.

Belichick overhauled the roster in the off-season, and got some important transfers, such as quarterback Gio Lopez. However, Lopez was 4-of-10 for 69 yards and an interception, and left the game due to a back injury. None of North Carolina’s other transfers did anything of note.

Fans and boosters may have to be patient with Belichick, who has the first three years of his contract guaranteed. This is a new world for Belichick as well, as he has never coached college football before, and it’s a far different landscape than ever before. He is also dealing with a high-profile relationship with Jordon Hudson.

It remains to be seen if Belichick can indeed improve the Tar Heels, but it is also only one game. Now that he sees what he is working with, Belichick can make better decisions in the transfer market going forward. He has no shortage of money at his disposal, which means the Hall of Fame coach has no excuses!