Michael Lombardi resigns as North Carolina football GM amid ongoing investigation

<p>Michael Lombardi will no longer be part of the North Carolina football program. The longtime NFL executive stepped down Thursday from his role as the college program’s general manager, as announced by the University of North Carolina (UNC).</p><p>Lombardi’s resignation follows more than a month after the university placed him on paid administrative leave amid an internal investigation. UNC confirmed that the investigation, conducted by its Office of University Counsel, will continue despite Lombardi's departure.</p><p>Lombardi joined the program in 2025, prior to Bill Belichick’s first season, and was considered one of Belichick’s most trusted advisors within the football program.</p><p>The university stated, "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 statement continued, "The University will continue its ongoing investigation and will consider all appropriate corrective actions responsive to the information it learns."</p><p>The internal investigation into Lombardi became public in late July, with the Office of University Counsel citing unspecified allegations and stating it would not comment on their nature.</p><p>Due to the confidential nature of personnel issues, the university has refrained from discussing the allegations or personnel information, as noted in a statement issued on July 28.</p><p>Upon his appointment, Lombardi became college football’s highest-paid football operations executive, earning an annual salary of $1.5 million. He was one of Belichick’s first hires after he accepted the job at UNC.</p><p>Belichick commented on Lombardi's administrative leave on July 30, stating, "Well, we’re working through some things. 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."</p><p>Belichick’s second season at North Carolina began with a victory, as the Tar Heels upset TCU in Ireland last Saturday. UNC concluded Belichick’s debut season with a record of 4-8.</p>