North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi has been placed on paid administrative leave, the school announced on Monday. The decision comes days before the Tar Heels are set to open preseason camp.
The university did not disclose the reason for Lombardi's leave, stating that employees and athletes are not permitted to discuss the matter, as is standard procedure with personnel issues.
Lombardi joined Bill Belichick at North Carolina in December 2024, making the switch from the NFL to college football. His executive career included a stint as general manager of the Cleveland Browns in 2013. Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl-winning coach with the New England Patriots, was hired to revitalise a programme that has largely been an also-ran in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Earlier this year, Lombardi stated the Tar Heels aimed to run their programme like an NFL team, calling themselves the “33rd team” due to their staff's professional connections. Belichick's first season ended with a 4-8 record. The team is set to open the 2025 season against TCU in Dublin, Ireland, on 29 August.
