UNC announced Monday that football general manager Michael Lombardi has been placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately. The university disclosed no details, stating standard procedure prohibits further comment. The Tar Heels open their second season under coach Bill Belichick on Aug. 29 against TCU.

Lombardi joined Belichick at UNC in December 2024, reuniting after working together with the New England Patriots from 2014 to 2016 and earlier with the Cleveland Browns starting in 1987. He has faced scrutiny during his Chapel Hill tenure, including a February 2025 claim that the Tar Heels "consider ourselves the 33rd NFL team."

Last September, Lombardi banned Patriots scouts from program access. UNC finished 4-8 in Belichick's first season and had no players selected in the 2026 NFL draft.