North Carolina: Bill Belichick Isn't Leading Search for New GM

The North Carolina Tar Heels have been without a general manager for nearly two months after Michael Lombardi was placed on paid administrative leave before resigning his post during the regular season.

Amid the Tar Heels’ 2–2 start to the season, the program needs to find a new general manager to help with the recruiting process for the 2027 campaign. 

Per WRAL's Brian Murphy, Belichick, who had to take over defensive play-calling duties after Steve Belichick stepped down as defensive coordinator this season, is not leading the charge to find the new GM.

North Carolina revealed that it is turning to former Michigan general manager and Turnkey ZRG vice president Sean Magee to be a consultant for the Tar Heels as they search for Lombardi's replacement.

Magee has a connection to Belichick via Navy, where he graduated. Belichick's father coached at Navy. 

The Tar Heels need a general manager who can better put together a roster than the one Lombardi pieced together in his first two seasons. UNC made Lombardi the highest-paid GM in college football with a three-year, $4.5-million deal. 

Under Belichick, North Carolina has a 6–10 record. The Tar Heels have lost two games in a row this season, including a 37–26 defeat at home to No. 3 Notre Dame on Saturday. UNC will next go on the road to play No. 25 Pittsburgh.

Belichick brought in Lombardi, but it appears UNC wants to have a little more control over who will become the next GM. 

Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million contract with North Carolina before the 2025 season. The first three years of the deal are fully guaranteed. Belichick could be coaching for his job for the remainder of the season.

North Carolina has a challenging month ahead of them. After playing the Panthers, UNC will go on the road to play a Duke team that is currently undefeated with a 4-0 record. The Tar Heels will host Syracuse on Oct. 24 before finishing the month by hosting No. 4 Miami on Halloween.

Ideally, UNC would make the GM hire sooner rather than later, allowing the program to better recruit high school players and prepare to bring in critical help for 2027 via the transfer portal. 

North Carolina has been a disappointment on the football field since the 2025 season started, and there should be higher expectations for the program in Year 3 if Belichick remains on the Tar Heels' sidelines.