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Michael Lombardi resigns as North Carolina football general manager amid internal probe

The university confirmed the departure of college football's highest-paid operations executive and stated that its internal investigation will continue.

The short version

  • Michael Lombardi stepped down as general manager of the University of North Carolina football team, effective September 3, 2026.
  • The resignation follows more than a month of paid administrative leave stemming from unspecified allegations.
  • UNC's Office of University Counsel confirmed that its internal investigation will proceed despite Lombardi's departure.

Key facts

  • Michael Lombardi resigned from his role as general manager of the UNC football program, effective September 3, 2026.[Fox News]
  • The University of North Carolina stated that an internal investigation led by the Office of University Counsel remains ongoing.[Fox News]
  • Lombardi was placed on paid administrative leave in late July 2026 amid confidential personnel allegations.[Fox News]
  • Lombardi was hired in 2025 as part of head coach Bill Belichick's staff at an annual salary of $1.5 million, making him the highest-paid football operations executive in college football.[Fox News]

What remains uncertain

  • The specific nature of the allegations prompting the university's investigation has not been publicly disclosed.[Fox News]

Sources