North Carolina HC Bill Belichick offers limited updates after GM Michael Lombardi's administrative leave

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

North Carolina HC Bill Belichick offers limited updates after GM Michael Lombardi's administrative leave

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 30, 2026 12:57 PM ET

The North Carolina Tar Heels opened fall camp on Thursday, but football wasn't the first item on head coach Bill Belichick's agenda.

On Monday, the school placed general manager Michael Lombardi on administrative leave following an HR complaint. North Carolina confirmed Thursday that it's investigating the matter. Tar Heels athletic director Steve Newmark said he expects an "expedited process." Belichick, meanwhile, seems to be scrambling for answers on how to replace Lombardi while he's on administrative leave.

Bill Belichick discusses North Carolina GM plans

"We're working through some things," Belichick said before practice. "We're at a particular time of year now where there are certain things that are in play and certain things that aren't in play that won't happen until later in the calendar year at some other point.

"Again, we're taking it day by day, and working through things that are on the table now."

UNC confirmed it is investigating football GM Michael Lombardi after placing him on paid administrative leave earlier this week.

Athletic Director Steve Newmark said he expects an "expedited process" following a human resources complaint filed by a former football front office… pic.twitter.com/zawN6CHn8W
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 30, 2026

Belichick didn't offer more details. When asked how much Lombardi's absence has changed his daily role, the coach said, "We've made a few adjustments."

Belichick responds to the recent situation regarding Michael Lombardi’s leave.

He says some changes have been made and the program is continuing to adjust. pic.twitter.com/blrMJjKvp8
— Chanel Porter (@chanelcporter) July 30, 2026

Belichick clearly needs more time to adjust without his longtime confidant. The school almost immediately hired Lombardi after landing Belichick in December 2024. He previously worked with the six-time Super Bowl Champion when he was a member of the Cleveland Browns front office from 1991-95 and an assistant to the coaching staff for the New England Patriots from 2014-16.

As GM for North Carolina, Lombardi handled off-field matters, including drumming up NIL (name, image, and likeness) funding. He reportedly earned $1.5M in 2025, making him the highest-paid GM in college sports.

Many skewered the ACC program for paying him that salary. Some have called Lombardi "the worst GM in college sports." The criticism isn't unwarranted. North Carolina went 4-8 in its first year under Belichick last season.

Belichick already had enough stress heading into a pivotal Year 2. The Lombardi situation only grows his lengthy list of headaches.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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