‘Our high standard’: Belichick says UNC football has environment of compliance as probe continues

CHAPEL HILL — University of North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said Monday that his team maintains an environment of compliance and that he understands the importance of the investigation into his football program and the “high standard here of our code of conduct and doing things the right way.” The comments, made during a scheduled news conference to discuss the Tar Heels’ home opener against East Tennessee State University, were his first since the abrupt resignation of the program’s general manager, Michael Lombardi, on Thursday. Lombardi said he was stepping down “to allow the team to focus on the ‘26 season.” He hasn't responded to multiple requests for comment, and his lawyer has declined to discuss specifics of his departure with WRAL. Lombardi’s resignation came in the moments before WRAL reported new details about the scope of the investigation, a probe that was launched shortly after he was placed on administrative leave in July. Athletics director Steve Newmark was in attendance for the press conference.

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open WRAL ↗