Chapel Hill places football GM Michael Lombardi on leave
PUBLISHED Jul 27, 2026, 1:02 PM ET
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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has placed Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave amid an ongoing investigation linked to an internal complaint. The university announced the move in a statement, clarifying that the decision came from the school rather than the athletic department and that personnel rules prevent further comment by leadership, staff, or student-athletes. OutKick-FOX News Digital reported that the investigation stems from a complaint filed by a former staffer with UNC’s human resources department. Lombardi, a longtime former NFL executive, joined North Carolina as part of the hiring package for head coach Bill Belichick.
By Michael Grant | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Earlier this year Belichick hired as North Carolina coach
- Earlier this year Lombardi joins as program general manager
- Earlier this year Lombardi contract reportedly totals $1.5 million
- Recently former staffer files complaint with human resources
- Recently OutKick confirms investigation follows staff complaint
- Today UNC places Lombardi on paid administrative leave
- Today university bars personnel from discussing investigation publicly
News Intelligence
- If you're a Carolina football fan, this could shake up the team's leadership. Lombardi's leave might affect the team's performance. If you're a UNC student or staff, it's a reminder that your university takes internal complaints seriously.
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