Lombardi’s decision comes more than a month after the university placed him on paid administrative leave amid an internal investigation.Even with Lombardi’s resignation, the probe launched by UNC’s Office of University Counsel will proceed, the school confirmed.Lombardi arrived at Chapel Hill in 2025, ahead of Bill Belichick’s first season, and was widely considered one of the seven-time Super Bowl-winning coach’s most trusted advisors within the football program.UNC GM MICHAEL LOMBARDI CLAIMS 'FAKE STORIES' HELPED UNDERMINE BILL BELICHICK’S DEBUT SEASON"Effective September 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 university said Thursday in a press release sent to Fox News Digital.General manager Michael Lombardi of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on prior to the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Oct.
25, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.(Lance King/Getty Images)"The University will continue its ongoing investigation and will consider all appropriate corrective actions responsive to the information it learns."The internal investigation into Lombardi became public in late July.
At the time, the Office of University Counsel cited unspecified allegations and said it would not comment on their nature.North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi (L) talks with head coach Bill Belichick prior to the game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Sept.13, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
(Lance King/Getty Images)"Because this involves confidential personnel issues, the University will not comment on the nature of the allegations or discuss personnel Information," a statement issued on July 28 read.After North Carolina named Lombardi general manager, he became college football’s highest-paid football operations executive, earning an annual salary of $1.5 million.Lombardi was a...