Michael Lombardi leaves North Carolina football GM role, university’s internal probe continues
Michael Lombardi will no longer be part of the North Carolina football program. The longtime NFL executive stepped down Thursday from his most recent role as the college program’s general manager, UNC announced Thursday.
Lombardi’s decision comes more than a month after the university placed him on paid administrative leave amid an internal investigation. Even with Lombardi’s resignation, the probe launched by UNC’s Office of University Counsel will proceed, the school confirmed.
Lombardi arrived at Chapel Hill in 2025, ahead of Bill Belichick’s first season, and was widely considered one of the seven-time Super Bowl-winning coach’s most trusted advisors within the football program.
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“Effective September 3, 2026, Michael Lombardi has resigned from his position as General Manager of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s football program,” the university said Thursday in a press release sent to Fox News Digital.
General manager Michael Lombardi of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on prior to the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Oct. 25, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Lance King/Getty Images)
“The University will continue its ongoing investigation and will consider all appropriate corrective actions responsive to the information it learns.”
The internal investigation into Lombardi became public in late July. At the time, the Office of University Counsel cited unspecified allegations and said it would not comment on their nature.
North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi (L) talks with head coach Bill Belichick prior to the game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Lance King/Getty Images)
“Because this involves confidential personnel issues, the University will not comment on the nature of the allegations or discuss personnel Information,” a statement issued on July 28 read.
After North Carolina named Lombardi general manager, he became college football’s highest-paid football operations executive, earning an annual salary of $1.5 million. Lombardi was among Belichick’s first hires after he accepted the job at UNC.
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Belichick reacted to Lombardi being placed on administrative leave on July 30.
“Well, we’re working through some things,” Belichick told reporters as the Tar Heels opened preseason camp. “We’re at a particular time of year now where there are some things in play and some things that aren’t in play that won’t happen until later in the calendar year. Again, we’re taking it day-to-day, and we’re doing things that are on Day 1. … We’ve made a few adjustments, but we’re working through the process.”
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick and General Manager Michael Lombardi look on from the sideline against TCU at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2025. (Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Belichick’s second season at North Carolina got off to a promising start when the Tar Heels upset TCU in Ireland last Saturday. UNC finished Belichick’s debut season with a 4-8 record.
