Bill Belichick, North Carolina beat Syracuse to earn first ACC win Craig Meyer, USA TODAY NETWORKNovember 1, 2025 at 7:40 PM 0 Bill Belichick, North Carolina beat Syracuse to earn first ACC win For Halloween this year, Bill Belichick got a different kind of treat. In the middle of his taxing and occasionally disastrous first season at North Carolina, Belichick and his Tar Heels were able to pick up their first win in ACC play this season, going on the road to knock off Syracuse 2710 on Friday, Oct. 31 at the JMA Wireless Dome.
- - Bill Belichick, North Carolina beat Syracuse to earn first ACC win
Craig Meyer, USA TODAY NETWORKNovember 1, 2025 at 7:40 PM
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Bill Belichick, North Carolina beat Syracuse to earn first ACC win
For Halloween this year, Bill Belichick got a different kind of treat.
In the middle of his taxing and occasionally disastrous first season at North Carolina, Belichick and his Tar Heels were able to pick up their first win in ACC play this season, going on the road to knock off Syracuse 27-10 on Friday, Oct. 31 at the JMA Wireless Dome.
The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for North Carolina, which improved its record to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the ACC.
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Ryan Day, Ohio State, $12,575,000
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Ryan Day, Ohio State, $12,575,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xI2J764 class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Ryan Day, Ohio State, $12,575,000
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Ryan Day, Ohio State, $12,575,000
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Lincoln Riley, Southern California, $11,537,560
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Lincoln Riley, Southern California, $11,537,560
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DWujnid class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Lincoln Riley, Southern California, $11,537,560
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Lincoln Riley, Southern California, $11,537,560
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson, $11,382,775
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson, $11,382,775
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2SIdCb1 class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Dabo Swinney, Clemson, $11,382,775
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson, $11,382,775
" src=https://ift.tt/2SIdCb1 class=caas-img> -
Steve Sarkisian,Texas, $10,800,000
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Steve Sarkisian,Texas, $10,800,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/y1WJzPs class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Steve Sarkisian,Texas, $10,800,000
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Steve Sarkisian,Texas, $10,800,000
" src=https://ift.tt/y1WJzPs class=caas-img> -
Dan Lanning, Oregon, $10,400,00
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Dan Lanning, Oregon, $10,400,00
" data-src=https://ift.tt/71aRyQU class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Dan Lanning, Oregon, $10,400,00
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Dan Lanning, Oregon, $10,400,00
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Kalen DeBoer, Alabama, $10,250,000
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Kalen DeBoer, Alabama, $10,250,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NFtZ9SK class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama, $10,250,000
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Kalen DeBoer, Alabama, $10,250,000
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Brian Kelly, LSU, $10,175,000
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Brian Kelly, LSU, $10,175,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/cRL2tjF class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Brian Kelly, LSU, $10,175,000
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Brian Kelly, LSU, $10,175,000
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Bill Belichick, North Carolina, $10,100,000
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Bill Belichick, North Carolina, $10,100,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/V5qAdjN class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Bill Belichick, North Carolina, $10,100,000
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Bill Belichick, North Carolina, $10,100,000
" src=https://ift.tt/V5qAdjN class=caas-img>T10. Josh Heupel, Tennessee, $9,000,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5DsWfhO class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption="
T10. Josh Heupel, Tennessee, $9,000,000
">T10. Josh Heupel, Tennessee, $9,000,000
" src=https://ift.tt/5DsWfhO class=caas-img>T10. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri, $9,000,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ACH7Uv4 class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption="
T10. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri, $9,000,000
">T10. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri, $9,000,000
" src=https://ift.tt/ACH7Uv4 class=caas-img>T10. Mark Stoops, Kentucky, $9,000,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fJCUa8Y class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption="
T10. Mark Stoops, Kentucky, $9,000,000
">T10. Mark Stoops, Kentucky, $9,000,000
" src=https://ift.tt/fJCUa8Y class=caas-img>T10. Lane Kiffin, Mississippi, $9,000,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2XdQ5j4 class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption="
T10. Lane Kiffin, Mississippi, $9,000,000
">T10. Lane Kiffin, Mississippi, $9,000,000
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Deion Sanders, Colorado, $8,975,000
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Deion Sanders, Colorado, $8,975,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sHF4xfZ class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Deion Sanders, Colorado, $8,975,000
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Deion Sanders, Colorado, $8,975,000
" src=https://ift.tt/sHF4xfZ class=caas-img>T15. James Franklin, Penn State, $8,500,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uQJi1FE class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption="
T15. James Franklin, Penn State, $8,500,000
">T15. James Franklin, Penn State, $8,500,000
" src=https://ift.tt/uQJi1FE class=caas-img>T15. Matt Rhule, Nebraska, $8,500,00
" data-src=https://ift.tt/funO5bi class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption="
T15. Matt Rhule, Nebraska, $8,500,00
">T15. Matt Rhule, Nebraska, $8,500,00
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Mario Cristobal, Miami, $8,302,883
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Mario Cristobal, Miami, $8,302,883
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vrFGEbn class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Mario Cristobal, Miami, $8,302,883
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Mario Cristobal, Miami, $8,302,883
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Curt Cignetti, Indiana, $8,300,000
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Curt Cignetti, Indiana, $8,300,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6TqgnVy class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Curt Cignetti, Indiana, $8,300,000
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Curt Cignetti, Indiana, $8,300,000
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Bret Bielema, Illinois, $8,200,000
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Bret Bielema, Illinois, $8,200,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zLfQZhR class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Bret Bielema, Illinois, $8,200,000
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Bret Bielema, Illinois, $8,200,000
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Shane Beamer, South Carolina, $8,150,000
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Shane Beamer, South Carolina, $8,150,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4BCyqeZ class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Shane Beamer, South Carolina, $8,150,000
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Shane Beamer, South Carolina, $8,150,000
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Luke Fickell, Wisconsin, $7,825,000
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Luke Fickell, Wisconsin, $7,825,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Gac6osQ class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Luke Fickell, Wisconsin, $7,825,000
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Luke Fickell, Wisconsin, $7,825,000
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Jedd Fisch, Washington, $7,575,024
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Jedd Fisch, Washington, $7,575,024
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bBUPlmo class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Jedd Fisch, Washington, $7,575,024
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Jedd Fisch, Washington, $7,575,024
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Brent Venables, Oklahoma, $7,552,000
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Brent Venables, Oklahoma, $7,552,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/l3qhmoS class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Brent Venables, Oklahoma, $7,552,000
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Brent Venables, Oklahoma, $7,552,000
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Billy Napier, Florida, $7,470,000
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Billy Napier, Florida, $7,470,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/aSUR6VJ class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Billy Napier, Florida, $7,470,000
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Billy Napier, Florida, $7,470,000
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Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State, $7,442,000
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Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State, $7,442,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XG07qB4 class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State, $7,442,000
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Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State, $7,442,000
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Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame, $7,421,201
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Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame, $7,421,201
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fxbaqkn class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame, $7,421,201
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Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame, $7,421,201
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Jonathan Smith, Michigan State, $7,350,000
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Jonathan Smith, Michigan State, $7,350,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZS65AE0 class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Jonathan Smith, Michigan State, $7,350,000
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Jonathan Smith, Michigan State, $7,350,000
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Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh, $7,259,909
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Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh, $7,259,909
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kS7pZH2 class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh, $7,259,909
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Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh, $7,259,909
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Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, $7,175,000
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Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, $7,175,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/R7y9Hgs class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, $7,175,000
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Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, $7,175,000
" src=https://ift.tt/R7y9Hgs class=caas-img> -
Sonny Dykes, TCU, $7,036,013
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Sonny Dykes, TCU, $7,036,013
" data-src=https://ift.tt/AZSPNFf class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption=" -
Sonny Dykes, TCU, $7,036,013
"> -
Sonny Dykes, TCU, $7,036,013
" src=https://ift.tt/AZSPNFf class=caas-img>T31. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota, $7,000,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/c7FMBXt class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption="
T31. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota, $7,000,000
">T31. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota, $7,000,000
" src=https://ift.tt/c7FMBXt class=caas-img>T31. Mike Elko, Texas A&M, $7,000,000
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FlDeP8H class=caas-img data-headline="Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32." data-caption="
T31. Mike Elko, Texas A&M, $7,000,000
">T31. Mike Elko, Texas A&M, $7,000,000
" src=https://ift.tt/FlDeP8H class=caas-img>
1 / 32Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.In USA TODAY Sports' review of compensation for Division I football head coaches, we found 32 are earning $7,000,000 or more this season. Georgia's' Kirby Smart is No. 1 at $13,282,580 million.
Belichick's maiden voyage in college football hasn't gone quite how his employer expected when it hired the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach last December.
The Tar Heels lost their first three games against Power Four opponents by a combined score of 120-33 and were more notable for what they were doing off the field than on it, whether it was the scrapping of a planned series about the program on Hulu or reports of general manager Michael Lombardi taking a fundraising trip to Saudi Arabia.
In recent weeks, though, a North Carolina team that had become a punchline has looked markedly improved. The Tar Heels came agonizingly close to wins against Cal and Virginia this month, losing by a combined four points. Against the Cavaliers last Saturday, North Carolina came up inches short of what would have been a game-winning two-point conversion in overtime against a top-20 opponent.
On Friday, that progress finally resulted in a win.
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The Tar Heels' defense continued to impress, holding Syracuse to just 147 total yards and 2.9 yards per play. Over its past three games, North Carolina is allowing only 15.7 points per game.
What has been an impotent offense for much of the season showed a spark against the Orange, putting up 425 yards and 27 points, both of which were season highs against an FBS opponent. Freshman running back Demon June carried much of the load, racking up 182 total yards and two touchdowns, including a 72-yard touchdown reception off a screen pass from quarterback Gio Lopez.
First career receiving touchdown for the rook 🤌📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/QFWGihabiV
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 1, 2025
A Syracuse team that beat Clemson by two touchdowns on the road back in September has struggled since losing quarterback Steve Angeli to a season-ending injury. The Orange have lost five games in a row while averaging only 12 points per contest.
The victory wasn't just a morale boost for Belichick and his squad.
With four regular-season games remaining, the Tar Heels are still in contention for the postseason, needing to go 3-1 the rest of the way to get to bowl eligibility. It's not totally out of the realm of possibility. They have two games remaining against teams that don't have winning records, 3-5 Stanford and 4-4 NC State, though they'd also need at least one win against 5-2 Wake Forest or 4-3 Duke.
If nothing else, their coach is bullish about what awaits.
"Let's get used to it. We're gonna win a lot more games around here, OK," Belichick said to his players in the locker room after the game. "But you can see the potential we have. We just gotta keep working, keep grinding, fix a few little things here and there, and things are gonna be a lot different going forward."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bill Belichick, North Carolina beat Syracuse for first ACC win
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: November 01, 2025 at 06:27PM on Source: CR MAG
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