North Carolina Football GM Michael Lombardi Placed on Administrative Leave

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North Carolina Football GM Michael Lombardi Placed on Administrative Leave

44 minutes ago

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CBSNEWS

REUTERS

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North Carolina Football GM Michael Lombardi Placed on Administrative Leave

Credited from: CBSNEWS

Michael Lombardi placed on paid administrative leave by North Carolina.
The leave follows a human resources complaint filed against him.
The Tar Heels open their season on Aug. 29 against TCU in Dublin.

North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi has been placed on paid administrative leave, effective immediately. The university announced this development Monday, stating that due to standard personnel procedures, further details cannot be disclosed, and it "has no reflection on the merits," reported by CBS News, Reuters, and LA Times.

The decision reportedly stems from a human resources complaint filed by a former UNC front office employee, sparking a possible investigation into the football program by the College Sports Commission, which oversees collegiate operations. Lombardi, who is 67 and a veteran NFL executive, joined Bill Belichick at UNC after previously holding roles with several NFL teams, including the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots, according to Reuters and LA Times.

When hired in December 2024, Lombardi aimed to revamp the football program by operating as if they were "the 33rd [NFL] team", focusing on a professional approach to college athletics. The Tar Heels struggled during last season, finishing with a record of 4-8, and are set to kick off the upcoming campaign against TCU in Dublin, Ireland, on August 29, reported by CBS News and LA Times.