Bill Belichick says Michael Lombardi, Steve Belichick leaves not an ‘issue’

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Coach Bill Belichick said Friday that general manager Michael Lombardi’s paid administrative leave and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick’s medical leave haven’t “really been an issue” as the team prepares for the season.

“People pick up in areas,” Bill Belichick said, “and we’ve done things we had to do at this time of year. Things have changed as they always do on the calendar, as recruiting changes, as the regular season comes into play, and so forth.

“But for this period, it’s been the same until it changes, which will be in late August or September.”

The university announced Lombardi was placed on administrative leave July 27. ESPN reported the investigation stemmed from a human resources complaint from a former front office employee.

Bill Belichick announced on Aug. 6 that his son, Steve Belichick, was on medical leave, declining to provide more information or a timeline.

On Friday, Bill Belichick deflected a question about if he would handle defensive play-calling duties if the season started today.

“Well, the season doesn’t start today,” Bill Belichick said, “so we got a bunch of hypothetical questions.”

Lombardi, college football’s highest-paid general manager with a salary of $1.5 million a year, hired prominent attorney Tom Mars to represent amid the investigation. Mars said in a statement July 31 that Lombardi plans to “clear his name.”

UNC retained a “solid and trusted team” of counsel, Nate Huff and McNair Nichols of Barnes & Thornburg — formerly with K&L Gates and transitioning work to Barnes & Thornburg — and Wes Camden of Williams Mullen to assist with the probe, a spokesman confirmed Aug. 5.

University Chancellor Lee Roberts called the matter “distressing” July 30, and was disappointed to be discussing the topic ahead of the school year’s start.

“We should be focusing on our student athletes and on their success on the field,” Roberts said, “and on all of the wonderful things that happen at this university every day.”

Lombardi, a longtime confidant of Bill Belichick, spent more than 30 years in NFL front offices for six different teams before he arrived in Chapel Hill after Bill Belichick became the Tar Heels’ coach in December 2024.

Steve Belichick, who also came to UNC following Bill Belichick’s hire, previously served as a defensive coordinator for Washington after spending more than a decade on the New England Patriots’ staff.

Running back Demon June said he has not paying much attention on Steve Belichick’s nor Lombardi’s absences.

“Just keeping the main thing, the main thing,” June said, “not really focusing on the outside things. Coming in every day in camp with the focus to get better and accomplish what it is … every day.”

Cornerback Jaiden Patterson said other coaches have taken larger roles in place of Steve Belichick.

“All the defensive coaches have stepped up and emphasized us coming together,” Patterson said, “so like we’re all just stepping up and doing real good.”

UNC’s season begins Aug. 29 with a trip to Dublin, Ireland, to face TCU.

This story was originally published August 14, 2026 at 2:03 PM with the headline “Bill Belichick says Michael Lombardi, Steve Belichick leaves not an ‘issue’.”