There are bound to be plenty of ripple effects making their way through the UNC football program in the coming days, as UNC hired Bill Belichick as its next head football coach on Wednesday, December 11.
We quickly learned about one of those effects from Belichick’s hiring, with North Carolina hiring longtime NFL executive Michael Lombardi as its general manager.
Lombardi started his NFL career as a San Francisco 49ers scout back in 1984, but most recently, he worked with Belichick as the New England Patriots‘ “Assistant to the Coaching Staff” from 2014-2016. Lombardi also has previous general manager experience, leading the Cleveland Browns during their 2013 NFL season.
After his extensive run through the NFL, Lombardi spent several years on television. Lombardi’s biggest stops were at CBS Sports and the NFL Network, with his most recent at VSiN (Vegas Sports Information Network).
VSiN host @mlombardiNFL leaving to join Bill Belichick at University of North Carolina. Lombardi will serve as the football program's GM.
We wish him the best!https://t.co/RvjbTYK9cP pic.twitter.com/haXVolkbEy
— VSiN (@VSiNLive) December 12, 2024
Belichick, arguably the greatest coach of all time across all football levels, won six Super Bowls in his 24 years leading the New England Patriots. Belichick is also a 3-time AP NFL Coach of the Year, plus he coached the greatest football player of all time in Tom Brady.
The Tar Heels immediately become a college football threat with Belichick’s hiring. Sure, UNC has to play a game under Belichick first, but I am confident this hire will work out.
Having someone like Lombardi make decisions in North Carolina is also a big win. Belichick wants to turn UNC into an “NFL-style” program – and what better person to help him achieve that goal than Lombardi, a previous NFL GM?
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