UNC has placed General Manager Michael Lombardi of the football program on administrative leave “effective immediately,” the school announced Monday.
Read more Friends, family plea for help in Cary mom Liz Waddell’s disappearance in Grenada
In the announcement, a UNC spokesperson said the university wouldn’t comment further on the reasons for Lombardi’s paid leave.
“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 university statement read.
Lombardi joined UNC in December 2024 at the time of coach Bill Belichick’s hire as the coach. Previously, he spent more than 30 years in NFL Front offices for the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns.
The university did not say who would replace Lombardi, who had a $1.5 million salary and is among the highest paid GMs in college football.
Read more Chapel Hill plans big changes to growth and development. What’s in the new LUMO?
UNC quarterbacks coach Matt Lombardi is Lombardi’s son and in his second season in the program.
The personnel decision comes as Belichick is about to begin his second year as coach. The Tar Heels were 4-8 last season and Belichick has said his program has made better roster decisions in preparing for his second season.
In October 2025, Lombardi drew criticism after traveling to Saudi Arabia. The Athletic reported Lombardi was there to discuss “partnership opportunities.”
UNC later confirmed the trip to the News & Observer, saying a Saudi national who was a football fan had reached out and was seeking to support Belichick. UNC said any reports about an investment in the program from the Saudis were inaccurate and said UNC did not pay for the trip.
Read more Haitian community in NC anxious and uncertain as immigration status is threatened
This is a developing story and will be updated
This story was originally published July 27, 2026 at 8:47 AM.