The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has placed football general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave, effective immediately, according to a statement from vice chancellor Dean Stoyer. The university did not disclose the reason for the decision.
"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 statement read.
Lombardi was hired by head coach Bill Belichick, his first acquisition for the Tar Heels program in December 2024. Lombardi and Belichick have a history of working together, including stints with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, where Lombardi served as an assistant to the coaching staff. His NFL career, spanning over three decades, also included roles with the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos, contributing to three Super Bowl victories. Lombardi's prior experience in college football includes a role as recruiting coordinator for UNLV in the early 1980s.
Lombardi is reportedly the highest-paid general manager in college football, with a three-year contract worth $1.5 million annually that expires in January 2028. Upon his hiring at UNC, Lombardi expressed enthusiasm for reuniting with Belichick, calling Chapel Hill a "magical place" and the university "one of the greatest in the country."
"Michael knows how to build a champion and brings a great deal of quality experience to the UNC program," Belichick stated at the time of Lombardi's hiring. "I am excited to be reunited with Michael, and we will rely on his expertise in evaluating and acquiring talent for the Tar Heel program."
The Tar Heels are looking to improve after a 4-8 record in Belichick's first season as head coach in 2025.