The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has placed Michael Lombardi, general manager of its football program, on paid administrative leave effective immediately, the school announced on Monday.
The university did not disclose any reasons for the move and instructed leadership, staff, and student-athletes not to discuss the matter further, stating it "has no reflection on the merits," according to vice chancellor Dean Stoyer.
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Lombardi joined UNC in December 2024 and is one of college football's highest-paid general managers, earning $1.5 million annually under a contract through January 2028.
He came to UNC alongside head coach Bill Belichick, reuniting with the six-time Super Bowl winner after previous collaborations with NFL teams.
Program Overhaul and Challenges
In his introduction to UNC in February 2025, Lombardi described the program as "the 33rd NFL team," emphasizing a professional approach to roster building.
That year, UNC finished with a 4-8 record and had no players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Lombardi and Belichick's first season featured major roster changes, bringing in 70 new players in 2025 and 61 more in the following offseason as the program sought to improve in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Lombardi has drawn attention for various actions during his tenure, including a 2025 statement banning NFL scouts from the program and a controversial visit to Saudi Arabia to explore investment interest in UNC football.
Belichick's efforts to transform the UNC program have faced challenges as the team struggled with cohesion and results, including a 48-14 loss to TCU and a 42-19 defeat to NC State in the 2025 season finale.
The team's performance fell short of preseason expectations despite high-profile leadership and roster overhaul.
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The Tar Heels are scheduled to open training camp on July 30 and begin their 2026 season against TCU in Dublin, Ireland, on August 29.
