University of North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick remained tight-lipped when pressed on the ongoing investigation into his football program on Monday.
Michael Lombardi, a key Belichick ally and UNC’s football general manager, resigned last week as lawyers investigating the program reportedly probe allegations of drug use and sexual relationships among players and staff.
Investigators from Barnes & Thornburg LLP, who were hired by UNC, are also said to be looking into Belichick’s son, Steve, who serves as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Belichick faced questions about Lombardi’s resignation and his son, who is currently away from the team on medical leave, for the first time on Monday.
‘My focus is on getting the team ready to play [East Tennessee State],’ Belichick told reporters. ‘I’m not involved in any other part of the process. My job is to get the team ready to play this weekend and that’s what we’re going to do.’
Belichick was asked if his program maintained compliance, to which he responded, ‘Yeah, totally.’
Bill Belichick remained tight-lipped when pressed on the ongoing UNC investigation
The University of North Carolina’s football GM Michael Lombardi resigned last week
He also admitted that he has spoken to Lombardi since the former general manager’s exit, but did not disclose any further details.
‘In the end, we want to run the program in the very best way, and if there’s things we need to do to correct it, we’ll obviously do them,’ Belichick said.
Lombardi, 67, was put on paid administrative leave in July following an internal human resources complaint filed by a former staffer. He was paid $1.5 million-a-year by UNC, making him the top-paid GM in the college game.
He resigned last Thursday amid reports that the internal investigation into the program has ramped up.
A bombshell report from WRAL alleged last week that lawyers are questioning people over whether Steve, who serves as Belichick’s defensive coordinator, used drugs while working or supplied drugs to at least one player.
In a separate matter, lawyers are also allegedly investigating whether a member of the Tar Heels’ recruiting staff had a sexual relationship with a player. They also quizzed people about potential sexual relationships between other assistant coaches and members of the recruiting staff.
The Daily Mail did not receive a response to requests for comment from UNC.
The WRAL report claims those being interviewed by lawyers were asked about the culture of the Tar Heels program under Belichick and Lombardi. Investigators were asking for documents and images of text conversations and whether anybody had told Belichick about any ‘questionable behavior’.
Investigators are allegedly looking into explosive claims made against Belichick’s son, Steve
The legendary football coach is pictured with girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 25, in 2025
Those being spoken to included current and former players, their parents and staff members. Lombardi was also among those to be interviewed.
Lombardi has retained prominent sports attorney Tom Mars, and he released a statement from his client on Thursday that read: ‘I want to thank Chancellor (Lee) Roberts and Bill Belichick for the opportunity to serve as the GM of UNC Football.
‘I have decided it´s best for me to resign my position as GM to allow the team to focus on the ’26 season.’
Just a week after Lombardi was placed on leave and the investigation was launched, Belichick revealed that Steve had been placed on leave due to a mysterious ‘medical situation’.
‘We look forward to getting him back as soon as possible,’ the eight-time Super Bowl winner said at the time. ‘It’s a medical situation so I really can’t make any further comment.’
Lombardi’s exit and the widening scope of the investigation comes as a bitter blow for Belichick in the early stages of his second season in charge of the Tar Heels.
Belichick endured a difficult inaugural season in Chapel Hill, with the Tar Heels posting a disappointing 4-8 record in 2025.
UNC’s 2026 season started in Dublin, Ireland last week and they claimed a 15-10 victory over TCU. They are next in action against East Tennessee State on September 12.
