The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has placed Michael Lombardi, general manager for the UNC football program, on paid administrative leave “effective immediately.”
On3 reported the leave announcement stemmed from an unspecified HR complaint.
When asked about why Lombardi was placed on leave, UNC’s vice chancellor Dean Stoyer did not share the reason but released the following statement:
“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.”
READ MORE: Timeline: A look at Michael Lombardi’s career
Lombardi earned $1.5 million in 2025, according to a salary database of UNC System employees. His son Matt is the team’s quarterbacks coach.
WRAL previously reported that Lombardi was one of head coach Bill Belichick’s first hires, working with him at NFL stops in Cleveland and New England. Lombardi also worked in the front offices for San Francisco, Philadelphia, Oakland and Denver over more than 30 years in the NFL. He served as the recruiting coordinator at UNLV in the early 1980s, his only previous college experience.
‘A disastrous hire’: Social media reacts to UNC placing Lombardi on leave
Several people in the sports world shared their thoughts on the news of Lombardi being placed on leave.
On X, The Athletic’s college football reporter Bruce Feldman said bringing Lombardi on board with the Tar Heels has “truly been a disastrous hire” for Belichick
WRAL News is working to learn why Lombardi was placed on paid leave. Lombardi didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from WRAL.
On Thursday, UNC will open its second fall practice under Belichick. Belichick is expected to be available to the media after practice.