Michael Lombardi, a key Bill Belichick ally and the University of North Carolina‘s football general manager, has resigned as lawyers investigating the program reportedly probe allegations of drug use and sexual relationships among players and staff.
Lombardi, 67, was put on paid administrative leave in July following an internal human resources complaint filed by a former staffer. He was paid $1.5 million-a-year by UNC, making him the top-paid GM in the college game.
A bombshell report from WRAL was published later on Thursday that sensationally claimed investigators from Barnes & Thornburg LLP, who were hired by UNC, are now looking into Belichick’s son, Steve.
The report alleges lawyers are questioning people over whether Steve, who serves as Belichick’s defensive coordinator, used drugs while working or supplied drugs to at least one player.
In a separate matter, lawyers are also allegedly investigating whether a member of the Tar Heels’ recruiting staff had a sexual relationship with a player. They also quizzed people about potential sexual relationships between other assistant coaches and members of the recruiting staff.
The Daily Mail has contacted UNC for comment.
The University of North Carolina’s football GM Michael Lombardi has resigned
Investigators are allegedly looking into explosive claims made against Belichick’s son, Steve
The WRAL report claims those being interviewed by lawyers were asked about the culture of the Tar Heels program under Belichick and Lombardi. Investigators were asking for documents and images of text conversations and whether anybody had told Belichick about any ‘questionable behavior’.
Those being spoken to included current and former players, their parents and staff members. Lombardi was also among those to be interviewed.
In a press release issued on Thursday, UNC confirmed Lombardi’s resignation and confirmed their investigation is still ongoing.
It read: ‘Effective September 3, 2026, Michael Lombardi has resigned from his position as General Manager of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s football program.
‘The University will continue its ongoing investigation and will consider all appropriate corrective actions responsive to the information it learns.’
Lombardi has retained prominent sports attorney Tom Mars, and he released a statement from his client on Thursday that read: ‘I want to thank Chancellor (Lee) Roberts and Bill Belichick for the opportunity to serve as the GM of UNC Football.
‘I have decided it´s best for me to resign my position as GM to allow the team to focus on the ’26 season.’
Just a week after Lombardi was placed on leave and the investigation was launched, Belichick revealed that Steve had been placed on leave due to a mysterious ‘medical situation’.
‘We look forward to getting him back as soon as possible,’ the eight-time Super Bowl winner said at the time. ‘It’s a medical situation so I really can’t make any further comment.’
UNC’s 2026 season started in Dublin, Ireland last week and they beat TCU 15-10
Steve previously worked for his legendary father at the New England Patriots, helping the team to win three Super Bowls before joining him in Chapel Hill after spending the 2024 season at the University of Washington.
Lombardi’s exit and the widening scope of the investigation comes as a bitter blow for Belichick in the early stages of his second season in charge of the Tar Heels.
Belichick endured a difficult inaugural season in Chapel Hill, with the Tar Heels posting a disappointing 4-8 record in 2025.
UNC’s 2026 season started in Dublin, Ireland last week and they claimed a 15-10 victory over TCU. They are next in action against East Tennessee State on September 12.
Lombardi joined Belichick in Chapel Hill following the legendary head coach’s move to college football in December 2024. They first worked together in 1987 when Belichick was at the Cleveland Browns.
He was a staunch defender of Belichick, 74, while his personal life and relationship with girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 25, has continued to claim attention.
Speaking to reporters as the Tar Heels opened training camp last month, Belichick offered a coy response when asked about Lombardi’s absence and how the front-office duties are being delegated.
‘We’re at a particular time of the year now where there are certain things that are in play, and certain things that are in play that will happen later in the calendar year,’ Belichick said.
Lombardi was Belichick’s first hire when he made the move into the college game in 2024
Lombardi blasted critics of Belichick and Jordon Hudson’s romance after their CBS interview
‘So we’re taking it day to day and working through the things that are on the table right now.’
When asked how the loss of his top executive impacts his daily operations, the eight-time Super Bowl champion added: ‘We’ve made a few adjustments, yeah. But I mean we’re working through the process.’
Last June, Lombardi slammed critics of Belichick and Hudson’s relationship after the excruciating CBS interview where she called out from off-camera to stop him answering questions on how they first met.
‘It’s comical,’ Lombardi said of the backlash. ‘A lot of it is just noise. For me, to really even attack anybody who’s saying it, gives them credibility. Which I don’t, because it’s a completely false narrative.
‘My job is to focus on North Carolina football, and Bill’s job is to focus on North Carolina football, and that’s what he has done, and that’s what I’ve done. And we’re gonna continue to do that.
‘The noise out there comes from a direction of people trying to be disruptive within our program. We’re not going to allow it.’
