UNC Spent $914,000 on Football Probe

The university's internal investigation into its football program ended in mid-September after two senior staff members resigned during the review.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football

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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill spent more than $914,000 on an internal investigation of its football program, which launched July 30 and concluded September 17. General manager Michael Lombardi and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick both resigned while the review was underway.

Why it matters

The investigation found that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina's values and standards of conduct, and the cost and resignations draw attention to how the university handled oversight of its program. The review also examined allegations of inappropriate sexual relationships among staffers, potential drug use, NCAA violations and workplace environment.

Barnes & Thornburg lead investigator Nate Huff logged nearly 200 hours, and partner McNair Nichols logged nearly 300 hours, on the case. Three firms billed UNC for the work: K&L Gates, Williams Mullen and Barnes & Thornburg.

The players

Michael Lombardi

Lombardi was the football program's general manager and was among the highest-paid in college football, earning about $1.5 million, and he resigned during the investigation.

Steve Belichick

Belichick was the defensive coordinator and son of longtime New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, and he resigned during the investigation.

Barnes & Thornburg

Barnes & Thornburg is a national law firm that billed the university more than $821,000 for work on the investigation.

The details

UNC launched the review on July 30 after concerns from a limited number of former employees, and placed Lombardi on paid administrative leave three days earlier. The investigation concluded September 17 with the university citing conduct that demonstrated a disregard for its values.

July 27: UNC placed Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave.
July 30: UNC launched the internal football program investigation.
September 17: The investigation concluded.

Roadmap

The investigation follows Bill Belichick's December 2024 hire at UNC, after his six Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots. The resignations extend that connection into a college setting where the program's own governance is now under scrutiny.

The resignations of Michael Lombardi and Steve Belichick change the football program's leadership structure heading into the season. Fans tracking program staffing should watch for announcements naming replacements for both positions.

The takeaway

Institutions facing internal allegations often weigh the cost of a formal review against the value of clearer oversight. The UNC case shows how an investigation can reshape a program's leadership even before any final sanctions are announced.