- May 21, 2026
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North Carolina isn't saying much about UNC football G.M. Michael Lombardi, who has been placed on paid administrative leave. Lombardi had something to say on Friday night, via his attorney.
“Michael hasn’t been told anything about the nature of UNC’s investigation and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name, which has already been sullied by baseless statements and innuendo on social media," lawyer Tom Mars said, via Pete Thamel of ESPN. "He is fully cooperating with UNC and expects the investigation will be swift, thorough, and fair. Michael would ask that people have the decency to let the process run its course before jumping to any conclusions about the nature of the investigation or whether there’s any merit to whatever has been alleged."
North Carolina has said that it is investigating "allegations" regarding Lombardi. Thamel reported on Monday that the situation “stems from a human resources complaint filed by a former UNC front office employee.”
It's not unusual for the subject of an investigation to know nothing in the early stages. In many cases, the employer speaks to the person against whom accusations are made as the last step, after all other relevant information is gathered. When UNC interviews Lombardi, he'll get an idea pretty quickly as to what it's about.
For now, he's still getting paid. He's just not working. Whether he returns depends on the outcome of the investigation.
“Michael hasn’t been told anything about the nature of UNC’s investigation and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name, which has already been sullied by baseless statements and innuendo on social media," lawyer Tom Mars said, via Pete Thamel of ESPN. "He is fully cooperating with UNC and expects the investigation will be swift, thorough, and fair. Michael would ask that people have the decency to let the process run its course before jumping to any conclusions about the nature of the investigation or whether there’s any merit to whatever has been alleged."
North Carolina has said that it is investigating "allegations" regarding Lombardi. Thamel reported on Monday that the situation “stems from a human resources complaint filed by a former UNC front office employee.”
It's not unusual for the subject of an investigation to know nothing in the early stages. In many cases, the employer speaks to the person against whom accusations are made as the last step, after all other relevant information is gathered. When UNC interviews Lombardi, he'll get an idea pretty quickly as to what it's about.
For now, he's still getting paid. He's just not working. Whether he returns depends on the outcome of the investigation.