Questions unanswered as UNC football GM Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave

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."

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's sports investigative reporter Brian Murphy said this shouldn't have an impact on the field this season.

"I think the bigger picture is less what it means for UNC on the field in 2026 and more this is another off-the-field misstep by this program, which has been filled with missteps since Bill Belichick was hired and he made Mike Lombardi his first hire," Murphy said.

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.

WRAL News has asked UNC and Carolina football whether Lombardi was placed on leave related to an investigation and if there was any indication of how long his leave may last. WRAL News also asked, with football season approaching, whether there is any plan for an interim general manager.

In response to those questions, UNC directed WRAL News back to their original statement, which cites a personnel matter and provides no further explanation.

On Thursday, UNC will open its second fall practice under Belichick. Belichick is expected to be available to the media after practice. UNC trustees also have regularly scheduled meetings this week.

WRAL's documentary "Coaching Carolina: The Belichick Way" showed Lombardi was the bridge between the trustees and Belichick.

WRAL News spoke with 99.9 the Fan's Adam Gold about why it's important this announcement came from the university, not just the football program.

"It wasn't a firing," Gold said. "He's basically given paid vacation for now, but it does appear to be an HR situation, and we know those can be tricky."

Watch the full documentary here.