A Sudden Administrative Leave
The University of North Carolina announced on Tuesday that Michael Lombardi, the program’s football general manager, has been placed on paid administrative leave. The move comes just over a month before the Tar Heels open their season on Aug. 29 against Texas Christian University at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Lombardi, who joined UNC in December 2024, quickly became the highest‑paid college football general manager, earning a salary of $1.5 million per year. He is a longtime friend of head coach Bill Belichick and previously worked together from 2014 to 2016 as an assistant coach for the New England Patriots.
During that stint with the Patriots, Lombardi received a Super Bowl ring after the team’s 2016 title win. According to journalist Pablo Torre, Patriots owner Robert Kraft compelled Belichick to dismiss Lombardi that year, citing internal disruption and power struggles with other executives. Lombardi has said he chose to leave the Patriots organization of his own accord.
The university has offered no further explanation, stating only that the leave is standard procedure for personnel matters and that it is effective immediately. The decision leaves the Tar Heels’ front office in flux as they prepare for their highly anticipated Dublin debut.