UNC football coach Bill Belichick to address media after GM resignation and ongoing probe
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick will hold a press conference on Monday, his first since general manager Michael Lombardi resigned amid a university investigation into the football program.
Bill Belichick, the University of North Carolina’s head football coach, is scheduled to speak to reporters Monday morning, marking his first public comments since general manager Michael Lombardi stepped down. The resignation came as the university’s external investigators expanded a probe into the football program, examining alleged drug use by defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and possible inappropriate relationships among recruiting staff, coaches and players.
Investigators hired by UNC have been questioning individuals connected to the program about its culture under Belichick, who was hired in December 2024 to raise the Tar Heels’ profile. Steve Belichick is currently on medical leave, a status announced by his father on Aug. 6.
Lombardi, the highest-paid general manager in college football, had been on paid administrative leave for more than a month before resigning. In a statement released through his attorney, he said resigning would allow the team to focus on the 2026 season and thanked Chancellor Lee Roberts and Coach Belichick. The university’s statement said the investigation will continue and that appropriate corrective actions will be considered.
"It’s best for me to resign my position as GM to allow the team to focus on the ’26 season," Lombardi said.
Lombardi’s attorney previously described the investigation as a “witch hunt” and asserted that UNC had no grounds for termination. The university has not commented on the matter, and no officials have spoken publicly about the specifics of the probe.
Belichick’s five-year, $50 million contract obligates him to comply with university, NCAA and ACC policies and to cooperate with investigations. The contract also requires him to promote compliance and maintain institutional control over staff conduct.
UNC opened the season with a 15-10 win over TCU in Dublin, Ireland, the program’s first victory against a Power Five opponent this year. The team will host East Tennessee State next before traveling to Clemson and later hosting Notre Dame.