The UNC football offseason just got a lot messier.
A report from WRAL says the investigation that led to general manager Michael Lombardi’s resignation on Thursday is digging into serious allegations around the Tar Heels’ staff, including alleged sexual misconduct and drug use. That comes on the heels of a big Week 0 win to open the season, but the off-field picture now has plenty of attention.
According to WRAL, the lawyers handling the probe are asking questions about whether defensive coordinator Steve Belichick used drugs on the job or gave drugs to at least one player. The report also says investigators are looking into whether a member of UNC’s recruiting staff had a sexual relationship with a player. In addition, the lawyers have asked about possible sexual relationships between assistant coaches and recruiting staff.
There’s already been speculation that UNC may have been trying to get out from under Lombardi’s buyout without paying it. But that buyout is only $1.5 million, and Lombardi’s attorney, Tom Mars, pushed back on that theory in comments to The Athletic.
“If UNC had grounds to fire Michael for cause, they wouldn’t need to conduct such a far-ranging, lengthy witch hunt. They would have done so by now.
I think the motive behind the investigation goes further than a $1.5 million buyout. After all, UNC could fire Michael (or the athletic director of any head coach) for no reason at all just by paying their buyout.
In today’s world, $1.5 million is just a drop in the bucket, so there must be other reasons behind this multimillion-dollar investigation.”
The ripple effects could reach head coach Bill Belichick, too. WRAL reported that Belichick’s contract makes him directly responsible for the conduct of his staff, players, and the activities around the program. That would include his son, Steve Belichick, who is reportedly part of the investigation because of alleged illegal drug use.
For now, there’s no final answer and no conclusive findings. The report is based on information WRAL uncovered while the investigation is still ongoing. But with Belichick in his second season at UNC, this is clearly a situation that isn’t going away anytime soon.
In Other News...
UNC Backfield Pecking Order Already Looks More Unsettled Than Fans Expected
The Tar Heels backfield already looks like it could be more of a committee than a clean depth chart, and the latest game only reinforced that idea. Benjamin Hall handled the bulk of the workload, while Jaylen McGill also played a meaningful role and found the end zone, giving UNC multiple options instead of a single clear lead runner.
Demon June, meanwhile, had a much quieter night and did not get a carry until the fourth quarter, a usage pattern that adds another layer to how North Carolina appears to be sorting out its running backs. With the staffs tendency to spread work around and the rotation in recent games, the first weeks of the season are already leaving more questions than answers about who the Tar Heels trust most in the backfield. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Front Office Drama Just Cast A Shadow Over Belichick's Rebuild
Michael Lombardis brief run as North Carolina footballs general manager ended this week, with his resignation coming after a paid administrative leave that began July 27. The leave stemmed from a human resources complaint filed by a former UNC front office employee, and the university has said its investigation into Lombardi will continue even after his departure.
For Bill Belichicks rebuild in Chapel Hill, the timing adds another layer of off-field uncertainty just as the season approaches. Lombardi and his lawyer have said he wants to clear his name and let the program move forward, but the front-office shakeup leaves the Tar Heels dealing with one more storyline they did not need. [Read more 🡒]
UNCs New Starting Five Comes With One Early Concern
North Carolinas overhaul has been as sweeping as any in recent memory, with 11 new players and a reshaped coaching staff giving the Tar Heels a very different look heading into the season. Michael Malone and Chuck Martin arrive as part of that reset, and with them comes a clearer sense of how the rotation may sort itself out around names like Avdalas, Brown, Able and Stevenson. The early read is that the backcourt should bring versatility, while the new staff will be leaning on several returnees and newcomers to settle into more defined roles.
The one area still carrying real uncertainty is center, where Cameron Fens ineligibility leaves a void in the starting five. North Carolina wants that spot to be anchored by defense and reliability, but the options are still being sorted and the answer could shape everything from the team's rim protection to its overall balance. For a roster built to be flexible, that is a meaningful early concern, and one the Tar Heels will have to resolve before the rest of the lineup can fully come into focus. [Read more 🡒]