Salary Revealed For Bill Belichick’s GM at North Carolina

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Feb 26, 2025 1:08 PM ET

North Carolina and head coach Bill Belichick appear to be sparing no expense on general manager Michael Lombardi as the new regime prepares for the 2025 season.

Belichick worked with Lombardi in two different stints in the NFL, including the Cleveland Browns in the early 1990s and the New England Patriots from2014-16.

With over three decades of NFL experience as a scout, player personnel executive and general manager, Lombardi is attempting to bring his pro experience to the college level.

That's something that the 65-year-old does have, working at UNLV as a recruiting coordinator in the early 1980s. But Belichick, 72, is entering new waters as a six-time Super Bowl champion head coach without familiarity of the college ranks.

It's clear that Belichick and the Tar Heels value the knowledge of roster building and player management that Lombardi brings to the table, as UNC is paying the three-time Super Bowl champion $1.5 million per year, according to Ross Martin of 247Sports.

Perspectively, Belichick was signed to a five-year, $10 million deal to take over for College Football Hall of Fame coach Mack Brown, the winningest coach in UNC history.

Over his last three seasons, Brown led the Tar Heels to back-to-back bowl appearances and 17 wins over two seasons before a disappointing 6-7 year in 2024 marked his exit.

There is plenty to improve on, and the Tar Heels are valuing NFL experience, as Belichick and Lombardi have added former pro coaches throughout the new staff in Chapel Hill.

"Everything here is predicated on building a pro team,” Lombardi told the media on Feb. 12. “We consider ourselves the 33rd team because everybody involved with our program has had some form or aspect in pro football.”

Only time will tell if the nuanced approach to the college game leads to success. North Carolina will open the 2025 season at home against TCU on Sept. 1.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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