Michael Lombardi has resigned as the general manager of the North Carolina football program, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure in Chapel Hill amid an ongoing university investigation.
UNC announced Thursday that Lombardi’s resignation was effective immediately. The longtime NFL executive had been placed on paid administrative leave in July while the university investigated a complaint involving his time with the Tar Heels. UNC has not publicly disclosed the specific details of the investigation.
In a statement released Thursday, Lombardi thanked Chancellor Lee Roberts and head coach Bill Belichick for giving him the opportunity to serve as UNC’s general manager. Lombardi said he believed resigning was the best decision so the program could focus on the 2026 season.
Lombardi joined North Carolina in December 2024 after Belichick was hired as the Tar Heels’ head coach. The two had a longstanding professional relationship dating back to their time together in the NFL. Lombardi brought more than three decades of NFL front-office experience to Chapel Hill and was given a significant role in helping build UNC’s football operation.
His $1.5 million annual salary made him the highest-paid general manager in college football at the time of his hiring.
The resignation comes at a critical point for the Tar Heels. North Carolina opened the 2026 season with a 15-10 victory over TCU in Dublin, Ireland, giving Belichick a winning start to his second season after UNC finished 4-8 in his first year.
Despite Lombardi’s resignation, the university said its investigation will continue and that it will consider any appropriate corrective actions based on what it learns. That means questions surrounding Lombardi’s tenure could remain a storyline for the program even after his departure.
For Belichick and North Carolina, the focus now shifts toward moving forward without one of the coach’s closest longtime associates. The Tar Heels will have to determine how to handle the responsibilities previously held by Lombardi while attempting to keep the program focused on the 2026 season.
