Disaster for Bill Belichick as GM and close ally Michael Lombardi resigns from UNC amid ongoing internal investigation
The University of North Carolina’s football GM Michael Lombardi has resigned.
It comes as a bitter blow for Bill Belichick in the early stages of his second season in charge of the Tar Heels.
Lombardi, who joined Belichick in Chapel Hill following the legendary head coach’s move to college football in December 2024, was put on paid administrative leave in July following an internal human resources complaint filed by a former staffer.
Lombardi was paid $1.5million-a-year by UNC, making him the top-paid GM in the college game.
In a press release issued on Thursday, UNC confirmed his resignation and said their investigation remains ongoing.
It read: ‘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 of North Carolina’s football GM Michael Lombardi has reportedly resigned
It is horrific timing for Bill Belichick to lose his close ally as he starts his second season at UNC
‘The University will continue its ongoing investigation and will consider all appropriate corrective actions responsive to the information it learns.’
Lombardi has retained prominent sports attorney Tom Mars, who released a statement defending the former NFL executive and denying any wrongdoing.
‘Michael hasn’t been told anything about the nature of UNC’s investigation and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name, which has already been sullied by baseless statements and innuendo on social media,’ Mars said.
Lombardi and Belichick first worked together in 1987 when Belichick was at the Cleveland Browns. He was a staunch defender of Belichick, 74, while his personal life and relationship with girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 25, has continued to claim attention.
Speaking to reporters as the Tar Heels opened training camp last month, Belichick offered a coy response when asked about Lombardi’s absence and how the front-office duties are being delegated.
‘We’re at a particular time of the year now where there are certain things that are in play, and certain things that are in play that will happen later in the calendar year,’ Belichick said.
‘So we’re taking it day to day and working through the things that are on the table right now.’
When asked how the loss of his top executive impacts his daily operations, the eight-time Super Bowl champion added: ‘We’ve made a few adjustments, yeah. But I mean we’re working through the process.’
Lombardi was Belichick’s first hire when he made the move into the college game
Last June, Lombardi slammed critics of Belichick and Hudson’s relationship after the excruciating CBS interview where she called out from off-camera to stop him answering questions on how they first met.
‘It’s comical,’ Lombardi said of the backlash. ‘A lot of it is just noise. For me, to really even attack anybody who’s saying it, gives them credibility. Which I don’t, because it’s a completely false narrative.
‘My job is to focus on North Carolina football, and Bill’s job is to focus on North Carolina football, and that’s what he has done, and that’s what I’ve done. And we’re gonna continue to do that.
‘The noise out there comes from a direction of people trying to be disruptive within our program. We’re not going to allow it.’
The off-field turmoil comes on the heels of a difficult inaugural season in Chapel Hill for Belichick, with the Tar Heels posting a disappointing 4-8 record in 2025.
UNC’s 2026 season started in Dublin, Ireland last week and they claimed a 15-10 victory over TCU. They are next in action against East Tennessee State on September 12.
