North Carolina is reportedly paying new GM Michael Lombardi $1.5 million a year, per Inside Carolina’s Ross Martin. Lombardi will be new head coach Bill Belichick’s trusted lieutenant this coming season.

North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi acknowledged that the program, under new coach Bill Belichick, is considering a behind-the-scenes look at the team amid a report that the Tar Heels could be the focus of HBO's "Hard Knocks: Offseason.

Mike Lombardi had a long career in coaching and management in the NFL. However, he had not worked for an NFL or college team since 2016 until he was hired by the North Carolina Tar Heels as their general manager in late 2024.

For comparison, Belichick was signed to a five-year, $50 million deal to take over for College Football Hall of Fame coach Mack Brown, the winningest coach in UNC history. Brown led the Tar Heels to 17 combined wins in the 2022-23 seasons before a disappointing 6-7 year in 2024 marked his exit.

There’s a new regime running the North Carolina Tar Heels football program. It’s headlined by head coach Bill Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi. With them, they’re also bringing a new philosophy on program building.

North Carolina football general manager MIchael Lombardi, one new head coach Bill Belichick's first hires, will make more than the Tar Heels paid any assistant coach last season. Lombardi will ...

The North Carolina Tar Heels have a new look football program going into the 2025 season. It’s a program that, with Michael Lombardi taking over as the team’s GM, will have a new approach to roster building moving forward.