Eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick, architect of one of the greatest sports dynasties of all time and known as one of the greatest coaches of all time, is the new head coach at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Belichick, the second-winningest coach in NFL history, agreed to a five-year contract that still needs to be approved by university officials and the UNC Board of Governors. A press conference will be held at a time to be determined to formally introduce the Tar Heels’ new coach.

“This is an exciting day for Carolina football and our university,” said Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. “Carolina is committed to excellence and to creating an opportunity for success in everything we do, from the classroom to the competitive field. 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 Carolina football.”

Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said, “We know that college athletics is changing, and these changes require new and innovative thinking.” Bill Belichick is a football legend and his hiring to lead our program represents a new approach that will ensure Carolina football can evolve, compete and win – today and in the future. At Carolina, we believe in providing our student-athletes with championship opportunities and the best possible experience, and Coach Belichick shares that commitment. We look forward to welcoming him to Chapel Hill.”

Belichick, who holds the NFL record for most Super Bowl victories (six with the New England Patriots as head coach and two more with the New York Giants as defensive coordinator), said: “I am excited about the opportunity at UNC-Chapel Hill . I grew up around college football with my dad and treasured that time. I have always wanted to coach in college and now I am excited to build the football program at Chapel Hill.”

Belichick is a three-time AP NFL Coach of the Year (2003, 2007, 2010) and has a 333-178 (.652) record as an NFL head coach and is just 14 NFL wins away from the overall wins record. He is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team in the 2000s and 2010s, was also a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, and holds the record for most NFL playoff wins (31).

Belichick began his coaching career as an assistant with the Baltimore Colts in 1975 and became defensive coordinator of the New York Giants in 1985, where he won two Super Bowls under Bill Parcells. He was named head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1991 and was at the helm for five seasons. He also coached with the New England Patriots and New York Jets before becoming the Patriots’ head coach in 2000.

In 24 seasons under Belichick as head coach, New England won 17 AFC East titles, played in 13 AFC Championship games and nine Super Bowl games.

Belichick also has ties to North Carolina.

Belichick’s father, Steve, was an assistant football coach with the Tar Heels from 1953 to 1955 before becoming 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 how to diagram complex plays before he was a teenager and credits his father for teaching him the details of football at a young age.

He graduated from Wesleyan University in 1975, where he played football and lacrosse. He has three children: Amanda, Stephen and Brian.