Update, 10:00 a.m. ET: According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, this decision stems from a human resources complaint from a former UNC front office employee. 

Original story: One of Syracuse's Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rivals is experiencing some turmoil ahead of the 2026 college football season, with the University of North Carolina placing football general manager Mike Lombardi on paid administrative leave, effective immediately, per multiple reports.

We are obviously in no position to speculate what is going on with Lombardi or the program, but the fact remains: Lombardi is the right-hand man for head coach Bill Belichick in Chapel Hill, and if he's not there, things get a little more chaotic for Belichick and Co.

If or how that manifests itself on the field remains to be seen, but the Tar Heels are trying to rebuild the program under Belichick and Lombardi, and this turmoil doesn't make that easier.

Last season, the Tar Heels became a national punchline because of their struggles (4-8, 2-6 ACC), and Belichick's relationship with 20-something Jordan Hudson. However, they did beat Syracuse in the JMA Wireless Dome on Halloween Night (27-10).

This season, the two teams will play on Oct. 24 in Chapel Hill, though the official game time has not been announced yet.

The Orange finished 3-9 last season, losing eight consecutive games in the wake of quarterback Steve Angeli's season-ending Achilles injury. This year, they should be better, and we've outlined the expectation of them finishing with at least six wins and becoming bowl-eligible.

If they are going to accomplish that, then winning a game at North Carolina seems like a pre-requisite. 

Back to Lombardi: he has an extensive NFL background, and has been with Belichick in multiple stops, including the New England Patriots. However, he was reportedly not well-liked in Foxboro and was let go in June of 2016.

The Orange begin their football season on Sept. 5 by hosting the University of New Hampshire at the JMA Wireless Dome.

--The Syracuse alumni team, 'Boeheim's Army,' dropped its semifinal matchup in the 'TBT' to 'La Familia,' a group of Kentucky alums, on Sunday. The Orange lost 70-66, ending their run in 'TBT' and their quest at the $2 million grand prize.

Syracuse won the event in 2021. They did win two games in this version of the event, sweeping the Seton Hall alumni in the first round series.

--The Orange men's basketball team held it's annual 'Summer Slam' earlier this week. Here's what you need to know about the event, which was attended by Jim Boeheim and Carmelo Anthony.

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