UNC launches probe into football general manager Michael Lombardi amid administrative leave

The University of North Carolina’s Office of University Counsel announced Thursday that it is investigating football general manager Michael Lombardi, who was placed on paid administrative leave on Monday following concerns raised last week. The news came just before second-year head coach Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels began preseason practice for the 2026 season, which opens on Aug. 29 in Ireland against TCU.

"If something has gone wrong, we want to know about it. If something needs to be fixed, we will be sure to fix it," Chancellor Lee Roberts said.

Roberts said the university learned of the concerns last week and acted promptly. Athletics director Steve Newmark said the university must evaluate the matter carefully and ensure a fair process, noting the confidentiality of personnel details limits what can be shared publicly.

"It’s paramount for us to do what’s right to make sure it’s a full and fair review and that we don’t do anything to compromise the integrity of that process," Newmark added.

Lombardi, a longtime associate of Belichick and the highest-paid college football general manager at $1.5 million per year, has not responded to requests for comment. Belichick declined to discuss specifics, and a football-program spokesperson said staff, coaches and student-athletes are prohibited from commenting on the situation.

"We’re working through some things. We’re taking it day-to-day and working through the things that are on the table," Belichick said.

The investigation follows a challenging first season for Belichick, whose team finished 4-8 and ranked near the bottom of the ACC offense. Despite low preseason expectations—UNC was projected 15th in the 17-team conference—the program has added new transfers and retained key players as it prepares for a schedule that includes seven top-10 ACC opponents, TCU and Notre Dame.

Belichick expressed optimism about the team’s preparation, noting that the squad is ahead of where it was at the start of last year’s camp.

"We’re so far ahead of where we were last year when we kind of started all over in training camp," he said at the ACC Kickoff event.

The university’s leadership emphasized that the investigation will be handled with the same standards of excellence expected across UNC’s academic and athletic programs.