Four days after North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi resigned amid a university investigation into his conduct and the football program, Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick addressed the media for the first time since UNC's Week 0 win over TCU in Dublin.
“Understand the importance of the work that’s being done by the investigative team and, obviously, our high standard here, our code of conduct, doing things the right way and making sure that our student-athletes are given the utmost, best treatment, the very best care and very best coaching that we can possibly give them,” Belichick said during his opening statement on Monday, Sept. 7.
“That’s critically important to us.”
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Lombardi was placed on paid administrative leave on July 27. Though the school declined to elaborate on the move, multiple reports stated a former North Carolina employee had filed a human resources complaint against Lombardi.
Ahead of every news conference this season, a university spokesperson has said players and members of the coaching staff are prohibited from discussing the investigation.
On Monday, the first football question of Belichick’s 18-minute news conference didn’t come until the 13-minute mark. Most questions centered around the culture within the program under Belichick and the university’s ongoing investigation. Belichick's son, Steve,remains on medical leave from his role as the team's defensive coordinator. No further details have been provided on his situation since Bill Belichick announced on Aug. 6 his son was away from the program.
“I love all my kids, but I’m not going to comment on a medical situation," Belichick said when asked about his son's situation. Belichick also said there were “no updates” on the status of the general manager and defensive coordinator roles.
“It’s kind of the way it’s been here for the last few weeks,” he said. “We’ve kind of redistributed some things. We’ll stay with that for the time being.”
Dean Stoyer, the university’s vice chancellor for communications, and athletic director Steve Newmark were present for Belichick’s news conference. The 74-year-old coach didn’t address specifics about the questions being asked by investigators, but said “we’ll see what the answers are. I don’t know.”
In its news release regarding Lombardi's departure, the university said it “continues its ongoing investigation and will consider all appropriate corrective actions responsive to the information it learns.” WRAL reported investigators were asking troubling questions about the culture within the program.
"In the end, we want to run a program in the very best way," Belichick said. "If there’s things we need to do to correct it, we’ll obviously do ‘em.”
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Belichick’s contract states he is required to adhere to UNC’s policies, along with the “regulations and rules that apply to this position.” It also requires him to “promote an atmosphere of compliance” and report any potential violations.
When asked if he believes the program has an atmosphere of compliance, Belichick said “yeah, totally.” He also said he’s “aware of all the NCAA rules.” Asked if there are indicators that he’s in control of the program, Belichick said “if you’re around here every day, I think you’d see it.”
If UNC decided to fire Belichick for cause, the university wouldn’t have to pay out anything. If the school were to fire him without cause, it would owe Belichick what he was set to earn through Dec. 31, 2027. The first three years of his five-year contract are guaranteed, meaning he stands to earn $30 million across the guaranteed period of his contract.
Belichick earns $10.1 million in annual compensation. His contract, though, includes $0 in financial severance if he's fired in the final two seasons of his term.
“My main focus is to coach the football team. That’s where I put my time and energy,” Belichick said. “. … Obviously, everybody’s responsible — including me — for doing things properly. And we intend to do that.”
Is UNC football investigation affecting players?
Belichick was also asked about how he’s approaching conversations about the investigation with his players, saying honesty is the focus of his communication with the team.
“I keep them informed and do the best I can — and our staff does the best they can — to do a good job of staying on top of players, holding them accountable for the things that they need to do on and off the field as student-athletes and as football players,” he said.
Like Belichick, captains Christo Kelly and Benjamin Hall are putting their energy into football and preparing for the home opener, Sept. 12 against East Tennessee State.
“We don’t really focus on anything like that,” Kelly said when asked about the questions surrounding the program.
“We’re here to play football. The bond in the locker room is so strong. That’s not really anything that we’re kind of focused on, worried about in any sense of the imagination.”
Hall echoed those thoughts about the off-the-field questions and possible distractions for the Tar Heels with an ongoing investigation.
“I’m gonna be honest with you. No one or anyone in this building is losing any sleep over that,” Hall said.
“… We’re so focused everything internal and getting better on the field, getting better in the meeting room, we couldn’t care less about what we see in the headlines or what’s on the news. It’s not gonna affect this team.”
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bill Belichick insists he's in control at UNC. The investigation could test that claim
