Michael Lombardi is a longtime confidant of coach Bill Belichick. Lance King / Getty ImagesJuly 27, 2026 Updated 8:45 am EDTNorth Carolina has placed general manager Michael Lombardi, a longtime confidant of coach Bill Belichick, on paid administrative leave, the school announced Monday.The school provided no details about the decision and said it would have no further public comment about the personnel matter.
North Carolina has placed GM Michael Lombardi on administrative leave. pic.twitter.com/LCzg22SlEo
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) July 27, 2026Lombardi, a former NFL executive with three decades of experience in the league, arrived at North Carolina with Belichick and was put in charge of assembling a roster. At $1.5 million per year, he immediately became the highest-paid general manager in college football.Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl champion with New England, was a surprising hire by North Carolina in December 2024 after the school forced out Mack Brown. Belichick, 74, had no experience with college football, but with no prospects for landing another NFL gig, he took over the Tar Heels on a three-year guaranteed contract that pays $10 million annually.
Lombardi has been the most visible person within the program. A former show host on SiriusXM, Lombardi often appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and boasted early on that the goal was to turn North Carolina into the 33rd NFL team.Expectations for the first season were sky high in Chapel Hill, N.C., and Belichick’s debut was a nationally televised spectacle, drawing Michael Jordan and Mia Hamm back to their alma mater.The enthusiasm spiked for one opening touchdown drive. North Carolina went on to lose 48-14 and opened the season with five straight losses against Power 4 opponents, with a roster that wasn’t properly built to compete in the ACC. The Tar Heels ended the year with a 4-8 record.This story will be updated.Jul 27, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
