UNC’s football program is suddenly dealing with a much bigger story than the one on the field.
On Thursday, general manager Michael Lombardi resigned, and within hours a WRAL report added troubling new details about the investigation tied to the program. According to WRAL, the probe includes allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use involving key staff members.
The report said lawyers hired to conduct the investigation are asking questions about whether defensive coordinator Steve Belichick used drugs on the job or provided drugs to at least one player. WRAL also reported that the lawyers are looking into whether a member of UNC’s recruiting staff had a sexual relationship with a player, and whether there were possible sexual relationships between assistant coaches and recruiting staff.
That all landed on a day when UNC had already given fans something to celebrate, after a major Week 0 victory to open the season.
There has also been some speculation that the school wanted to move on from Lombardi without paying his buyout. But that buyout is only $1.5 million, a figure that is relatively modest for a Division I program.
Lombardi’s attorney, Tom Mars, pushed back on that idea in comments to The Athletic, arguing the scope of the investigation suggests something larger is going on.
“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.” Mars told The Athletic.
The fallout could also reach head coach Bill Belichick. WRAL reported that under Belichick’s contract, he is responsible for the conduct of his staff, players and the activities around the program. That would include Steve Belichick, who is reportedly part of the drug-use questions in the investigation.
For now, nothing has been conclusively established. The WRAL report reflects what investigators are reportedly asking about as the process continues. But the situation has clearly become one to watch as Belichick moves through his second season at UNC.
In Other News...
Wake Forest Mourns A Program Legend Whose Impact Went Beyond Records
Wake Forest lost one of the defining players in its football modern history with the death of Alphonso Smith on Sept. 2, 2026. Smith was more than a memorable name in the record book, although that part mattered plenty too, as the cornerback still owns the ACC career interceptions record and helped fuel the 2006 team that brought home an ACC championship.
His place in Wake Forest lore was already secure before his induction into the 2025 Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame, and his football path carried him from Winston-Salem to the NFL after the Denver Broncos drafted him in 2009. Smith later played for the Detroit Lions, but for Wake Forest fans, his legacy will always be tied to a program-changing era and the standard he set on and off the field. [Read more 🡒]
Wake Forest Opens With One Big Test For Its Rebuilt Roster
Wake Forests offseason reset has been dramatic, even by modern college football standards. After losing 24 players to the transfer portal following the 2025 season, the Demon Deacons are set to bring in 18 new transfers as they try to rebuild quickly around a reshaped roster. The headliners are quarterback Gio Lopez and wide receivers Carlos Hernandez and Kam Shanks, additions that should give the offense a different look as the program tries to stabilize in a hurry.
The early test is interesting because the Deacons are also leaning on what remained intact. Running back Ty Clark III, along with defensive leaders Langston Hardy and Aiden Hall, gives Wake Forest some established pieces to anchor all the change. Akron arrives with its own problems, including quarterback eligibility concerns and the loss of key players on both sides of the ball, which makes this matchup a revealing first look at how much the Demon Deacons can trust their new mix right away. [Read more 🡒]
Wake Forest's New-Look Offense Took Over Fast Against Akron
Wake Forest wasted little time showing what its revamped offense can look like, jumping on Akron early and turning the afternoon into a showcase for explosive plays. Gio Lopez settled in quickly, the Demon Deacons stacked up points through the air and the defense added its own pressure with sacks and a turnover, helping build a commanding 28-3 halftime lead.
The big-play burst was the clearest sign that this group may have a different ceiling if the passing game keeps stretching the field like this. Akron did manage a late touchdown before the break, but Wake Forest had already separated itself and left plenty of room for the larger question now: how often can this offense sustain that kind of pace once the competition stiffens? [Read more 🡒]