UNC places top Belichick aide Lombardi on leave

July 27, 2026 No Comments

UNC football GM Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leaveplayBelichick: UNC ‘so far ahead of where we were last year’ (0:32)ESPNMultiple AuthorsJul 27, 2026, 08:40 AM ET

North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi, a top aide to coach Bill Belichick, has been placed on paid administrative leave by the university.

UNC unveiled Monday that Lombardi’s leave is effective immediately but did not disclose any other details. The Tar Heels open their second season under Belichick in just under five weeks on Aug. 29 against TCU.

“As is standard procedure with personnel matters, leadership, staff, and student-athletes are prohibited from addressing this topic further, and has no reflection on the merits,” the school mentioned in a statement.

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Lombardi joined Belichick at UNC in December 2024, reuniting with the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach. He worked under Belichick with the New England Patriots from 2014 to 2016, and earlier with the Cleveland Browns starting in 1987.

Lombardi has faced scrutiny on multiple occasions during his time in Chapel Hill, including his boast in February 2025 when he mentioned the Tar Heels “consider ourselves the 33rd NFL team.” He also made headlines last September when he informed the Patriots that their scouts would be banned from access to the Tar Heels program.

UNC went 4-8 last season under Belichick and did not have a single player selected in this year’s NFL draft.