Tar Heels Hunt New GM After Sacking
Bill Belichick retains roster control while an outside firm searches for a permanent general manager to replace Michael Lombardi.
By Fatou Kim ·
North Carolina football is searching for a new general manager to replace Michael Lombardi, a vacancy created after the university suspended its highest-paid GM in July. The move forces head coach Bill Belichick to cede some control over the roster, a shift from the structure he preferred during his NFL career.
The timeline for the change began on July 27, when UNC suspended Lombardi pending an HR investigation. He officially resigned in early September. Since then, Belichick has managed the general manager duties personally. The program is currently 4-3, with two narrow losses. The 2027 recruiting class stands at 16 commitments, a typical number for this stage of the cycle.
Sean Magee, former Michigan GM, is consulting with the program through his firm, TurnkeyZRG, to lead the search. Sources indicate the new hire will not be in place before the regular season ends. The incoming GM will face immediate tasks, including navigating the transfer portal when it opens in January and retaining the current roster, which involves at least $20 million in guaranteed spending.
The structure of the new role remains under consideration. UNC may adopt a model where the GM reports to athletic director Steve Newmark as well as Belichick. This differs from Lombardi’s previous arrangement, where he reported solely to the coach. This dual-reporting structure is becoming common as college football professionalizes, moving away from the model where the head coach acts as the de facto general manager.
The hiring process reflects the growing financial stakes in the sport. While there is no strict salary cap, top rosters approach $50 million, and the revenue-sharing cap sits near $21 million. Belichick’s contract guarantees at least $20 million in roster spending. The new GM’s autonomy will be tested by these financial pressures and the political dynamics within the university, where men’s basketball, led by Mike Malone, also commands a roster near the $20 million mark.
The choice of candidate will signal the program’s direction. Belichick is known for working with long-time associates, a trait evident in his relationship with Lombardi since the 1990s. His sons, Steve and Brian, have also been part of the staff, though Steve resigned following the same investigation that removed Lombardi. An industry source suggested Belichick might prefer a candidate with NFL experience, though the college environment retains distinct recruiting and hospitality elements.
The next milestone for the team is a game against Miami on Saturday. UNC faces one of the nation’s highest-powered teams in the ACC. The outcome of the GM search and the structure of the new role will define the personnel landscape for the upcoming offseason, as Belichick’s contract guarantee ends after the 2027 season.
