Head coach Bill Belichick is expected to address the media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Thursday days after UNC football’s general manager Michael Lombardi was placed on paid administrative leave.
The football team begins preseason
practice Thursday morning, marking the start of the second season under Belichick’s leadership.
WRAL News will livestream his remarks at 8:30 a.m. as Belichick is expected to address the media before practice. UNC has not explained what led to Lombardi’s leave, but there are reports that the decision stemmed from an HR complaint.
Criticism of Lombardi has been harsh and persistent since the announcement, much of it stemming from his performance for the Tar Heels.
►READ: UNC’s Lombardi, on administrative leave, has been a ‘lightning rod’ for controversy, criticism
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts is scheduled to speak to reporters around 9:30 a.m. at the Board of Trustees meeting Thursday morning, where it’s possible that he could address the Lombardi situation. WRAL News also plans to livestream the chancellor’s remarks.
The only statement released from UNC reads: “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.”
Lombardi hasn’t responded to WRAL’s multiple requests for comment.
WRAL News has asked UNC and Carolina football whether Lombardi was placed on leave related to an investigation and if there was any indication of how long his leave may last. WRAL News also asked, with football season approaching, whether there is any plan for an interim general manager.
Belichick and Lombardi have a long relationship. Lombardi was
Belichick’s first hire after being named UNC’s head coach in December 2024. Lombardi earned $1.5 million in 2025, according to a salary database of UNC System employees, making him the highest-paid general manager in college football.
►READ: A timeline of Michael Lombardi’s career
Belichick and the Tar Heels went 4-8 last season. They were picked
to finish 15th in the 17-team ACC this season by the league’s media.