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See the full story · 4 sourcesJuly 27 (UPI) -- North Carolina placed football general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave, the Tar Heels announced Monday.
Lombardi followed former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick to Chapel Hill, N.C. when he was hired by the Tar Heels in 2024. The Tar Heels did no provide details about why Lombardi was placed on leave, only citing "personnel matters."
"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 Tar Heels said in a statement.
Belichick, who won a record six Super Bowls with the Patriots, led the Tar Heels to a 4-8 mark in his first season as a collegiate head coach. The 74-year-old signed a five-year, $50 million deal with the Tar Heels ahead of the 2025 season. The first three years of that deal were guaranteed.
Belichick, who failed to be elected as a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer in January, fired former Tar Heels offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer in December.
Lombardi's pact, which started Dec. 14, 2024 and expires Jan. 15, 2028, features annual base salaries of $1.5 million. The 67-year-old former NFL executive previously worked with Belichick while they both were employed by the Patriots and Cleveland Browns. He also held personnel roles with the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers.
ESPN ranked the Tar Heels' 2026 recruiting class as the 14th-best in college football. The Tar Heels' 2026 class was ranked No. 19 by 247Sports.
Belichick's Tar Heels will take on TCU in their season opener Aug. 29 in Dublin.
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