CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Michael Lombardi’s tenure at the University of North Carolina was a short one.
The Tar Heels’ football general manager resigned from his position on Thursday, according to an email from an athletic department representative.
“Effective Sept. 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 email stated. “The university will continue its ongoing investigation and will consider all appropriate corrective actions responsive to the information it learns.”
Lombardi was placed on paid administrative leave on July 27, three days before the football team began fall camp.
ESPN senior college football writer Pete Thamel reported that a source told him that Lombardi’s leave stemmed from a “human resources complaint filed by a former UNC front office employee.”
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Meanwhile, the Athletic previously wrote that the College Sports Commission has “approached” UNC for an investigation, with Lombardi’s “actions believed to be of interest.”
UNC’s human resources department’s policy says that any administrative leave “should not exceed 30 days,” and the total length of the absence varies depending on the “matter under investigation.”
The university hired an external firm to assist with the investigation, but no public funds were being used to hire the firm, according to school officials. UNC has not released additional details nor a timeline for the ongoing investigation.
“We should be focusing on our student-athletes and on their success on the field and on all of the wonderful things that happen at this university every day,” Roberts said at the time of Lombardi’s suspension, “providing opportunities for students from every nook and cranny of North Carolina, and so it’s distressing to me and everyone else in the administration entrusted with leadership at this remarkable university that (the Lombardi investigation) is something that we have to spend time on.”
Shortly after being placed on leave, Lombardi hired attorney Tom Mars.
“(Lombardi) is fully cooperating with UNC and expects the investigation to be swift, thorough and fair,” Mars said in the statement in July. “Michael would ask that people have the decency to let the process run its course before jumping to any conclusions or whether there’s any merit to whatever has been alleged.”
Lombardi joined head coach Bill Belichick’s staff in December 2024. He was given a $1.5 million salary, making him one of the highest-paid GMs in college football.
His son, Matt Lombardi, is the quarterbacks coach and remains on staff.
Belichick did not express concern when the team started practices, stating the program was “working through some things,” and “taking it day-to-day.”
The Tar Heels remain without defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who has been on leave with an undisclosed medical issue.
North Carolina has a Week 1 bye after defeating TCU, 15-10, in Dublin, Ireland. It resumes play on Sept. 12 against East Tennessee State.
