NORTH CAROLINA PLACES FOOTBALL GM LOMBARDI ON PAID LEAVE

North Carolina placed general manager Mike Lombardi on paid administrative leave effective immediately on Monday, the university announced. The school did not provide specifics regarding the reason for the leave. Lombardi has held the general manager role for the Carolina football programme since 2024, when he joined head coach Bill Belichick's staff. The university statement noted that as standard procedure with personnel matters, leadership, staff and student-athletes are prohibited from addressing the topic further.

Lombardi's professional history spans nearly four decades in American football. He first worked with Belichick at the Cleveland Browns, initially hired in 1987 and rising to director of player personnel, where he assisted with draft strategy and player acquisitions. Following Belichick's departure from Cleveland, Lombardi held positions with the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos and the Browns again. He later reunited with Belichick at the New England Patriots, serving as assistant to the head coach for three seasons before spending time working in media, including writing for NFL.com and co-hosting podcasts.

Lombardi joined Belichick at North Carolina in December 2024 as the programme prepared for its inaugural season under the veteran coach. His departure on administrative leave comes ahead of Belichick's second season with the Tar Heels. The university has not indicated when or whether Lombardi will return to the role, nor has it clarified the circumstances that led to the decision.