Michael Lombardi Resigns at UNC Amid Reports of Drug Use, Sexual Relations Between Staff and Players

WRAL — University of North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi, the highest-paid general manager in college football, resigned Thursday after a tumultuous tenure in Chapel Hill working alongside Bill Belichick, the university said.

But the investigation is still ongoing, and lawyers hired by the university are now focused on behaviors by defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, people familiar with the investigation tell WRAL.

Lombardi, 67, a longtime Bill Belichick confidant, was placed on paid administrative leave on July 27. Three days later, the university announced its investigation, citing concerns over allegations that led to Lombardi being placed on leave. 

UNC said: “The University will continue its ongoing investigation and will consider all appropriate corrective actions responsive to the information it learns.”

The announcement came hours after WRAL questioned university officials Thursday morning about new revelations about the investigation. 

Lawyers hired to conduct the investigation are also questioning people about whether defensive coordinator Steve Belichick used drugs on the job or provided drugs to at least one player — and, separately, about whether a member of UNC’s recruiting staff had a sexual relationship with a player, people familiar with the investigation told WRAL. The lawyers also asked about possible sexual relationships between assistant coaches and recruiting staff, the people said.

Bill Belichick's 33rd NFL team got a much-needed win in its season opener over TCU, but didn't even make it through Week 1 before things were once again off the rails.

North Carolina general manager Michael Lombardi is now officially out as reporting came out from WRAL highlighting some pretty insane issues that could be going on in Chapel Hill. The WRAL article mentions drug use on the job by defensive coordinator Steve Belichick — also on leave — and sexual relationships between multiple members of the football staff. You know, the stuff that's going on in functional programs all across the country.

The funniest outcome in all of this would be Bill Belichick rattling off seven or eight wins this season amidst all this turmoil when everyone considered him a dead man walking coming into the year. Give me 3-0 North Carolina going to Notre Dame on October 3.

But as things stand right now, the 33rd NFL team seems to be in a bit of hot water. Only Billy Edwards can save them now.